Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has issued a strong warning about the continued underestimation of health risks posed by increasing heatwaves. Speaking to RTL and ntv on Monday, Lauterbach stated that heat is often not perceived for what it truly is: a massive health challenge. Many people assume it is simply a slightly stronger or longer summer. However, he stressed that thousands of people die in Europe during every heatwave, and a significant number of these deaths are preventable.
Looking ahead to climate change, Lauterbach cautioned that “we are only at the beginning.” He noted that Europe is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world, suggesting that no continent will face the struggle of climate change as intensely as Europe.
While many of the measures launched under the heat protection plan-a plan he initiated during his tenure as health minister-are already being implemented, Lauterbach insisted that the current path must be followed consistently. He emphasized the critical need for resources, stating, “You have to put money into it.” Currently, municipalities frequently lack the financial means required to undertake necessary investments, making the announcement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz about providing greater financial support to local authorities particularly beneficial.
Furthermore, Lauterbach advocated for increased climate adaptation within urban environments. “We must make our cities greener, break up the concrete, and plant more trees. That would bring huge benefits,” he said. Despite advocating for these changes, the SPD politician made no criticism of the existing heat protection plan. He recognized that its measures are important and, if implemented with diligence, could save lives. He noted that this effort could reduce the number of deaths in Germany during a heatwave by several hundred, which is a significant achievement.
