Erfurt: Heat alert! How cities fight the summer heat

Erfurt: Heat alert! How cities fight the summer heat

Warmer temperatures and increasing heat stress – these are issues that not only affect the people in Erfurt. In the latest heat check by German Environmental Aid, the situation in Erfurt and other cities in Thuringia was closely examined. The results show that Erfurt takes the lead in Thuringia with a heat impact index of 15.89, compared to other cities such as Gera (14.41), Weimar (14.39) and Jena (14.38). reports Thuringia24.

With an average surface temperature of 35 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2024, the Thuringian state capital has reached a worrying record. The high degree of sealing is particularly noticeable: almost 45 percent of the city area is sealed, which further increases the heat load. In Germany, over 12 million people in urban areas similar to Erfurt are exposed to extreme heat stress, according to German Environmental Aid here.

Measures against the heat

In view of this alarming situation, Erfurt has already taken measures. A “heat hotline” has been set up to offer help to the population during heatwaves. Additional drinking fountains and information about urban fountains will also be made available. In the neighboring town of Jena, they are even planning a support network for older people living alone in order to support these particularly vulnerable groups of people in times of extreme heat.

German Environmental Aid also calls for minimum legal requirements for green spaces in order to reduce heat stress. The heat impact index, which was created for the first time this year, evaluates the heat conditions in 190 German cities and takes into account factors such as high temperatures, dense sealing and too few green spaces adds the DUH. Of the 190 cities examined, 31 received a red card, 131 a yellow card and 28 a green card.

Challenges and future developments

In general, there is a worrying trend: the frequency and intensity of heat waves has been increasing continuously since the 1970s. Forecasts indicate that extreme summers like those in 2003, 2018, 2019 and 2022 could become more common in the future. The health risk from extreme heat remains, even with mild climate change. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended drawing up heat action plans after the 2003 heat waves points out the Federal Environment Agency.

Thuringia's state government and municipalities have already addressed the dangers of heat and extended a climate pact with investments of 27 million euros for climate protection. Future measures are urgently needed to reduce the risk to the population. A nationwide heat action plan is expected to be in place by the end of the year, which is seen as an important step in the face of the challenges of the coming years.