Facing soaring temperatures, Federal Minister for Construction Verena Hubertz (SPD) is calling for intensified efforts to combat the heat and is warning of its consequences. In an interview with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Wednesday editions), Hubertz stated, “We must make our cities fit for the future in the face of climate change.
She elaborated, “Oppressive heat and hot nights offer little respite for everyone and make daily life more difficult – whether working on a construction site, in a daycare center, or in a nursing home. It is a challenge for all, especially for the elderly and children.
The Minister explained that “more green spaces and parks, more shade, cooler areas, lighter building facades and sustainable materials like wood can help to reduce temperatures.
Hubertz also emphasized that the federal government is not leaving cities alone in adapting to the heat. “Climate protection and climate adaptation are already a prerequisite in the funding programs for urban development” she said. Funding for urban development has been doubled to €1.58 billion by 2029 and is being gradually increased.
In Germany, the number of heat days has already tripled since the 1950s due to human-caused global warming, averaging 11.5 heat days per year. If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, Berlin, for example, could face 20 to 35 heat days per year between 2071 and 2100. Adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement could limit the number of heat days to an average of ten to 16 per year.
