Heat alarm in Erfurt: City achieves the highest load in Thuringia!

Heat alarm in Erfurt: City achieves the highest load in Thuringia!

heat is an urgent topic in many German cities, and today it is particularly hot in Erfurt. According to the heat check of German environmental aid, the state capital of Thuringia is classified as "yellow", which means that it is in midfield among the 190 cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. In the case of a heat of 15.89, Erfurt has the highest load in Thuringia and an average surface temperature of 35 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2024. It is important to know that this concern concerns not only the Erfurt itself, but also the entire urban space, because over 12 million people in Germany are exposed to extreme Heat pollution24.

The results of this analysis are alarming. Cities like Gera, Weimar and Jena follow close behind Erfurt in the heat-blankness index with values ​​of 14.41, 14.39 and 14.38. The problem is reinforced by the high degree of sealing in Erfurt of almost 45 %, which severely limits cooling by green areas.

necessary measures against the heat

The state government of Thuringia and the municipalities have recognized the dangers of heat and are currently initiating various projects. The climate pact, which provides for climate protection investments, has been extended. A total of 27 million euros are available. Special heat action plans were developed for the affected cities. A "heat telephone" is set up in Erfurt to help citizens stand aside while the city is also planning to set up more drinking fountains. Jena, in turn

The nationwide situation and the views

The nationwide heat action plan is to be presented by the end of the year. In addition to Erfurt, the heat check also shows the situation in other regions: cities in southern Germany are particularly affected, while places in the north-such as Flensburg or Kiel-benefit from milder temperatures. In a nationwide view, 31 cities receive a "red card" for high heat load, 131 cities are in the yellow category and 28 cities in the green category, including the green flags such as Hamburg.

A targeted greenery, for example through green roofs or an increased planting of schoolyards and roads, could solve the current problems in many cities. It is time for politics and citizens to tackle the challenges of climate change and to shape a future in which a cool place can be found even on hot days.