This is how Germany is preparing for the climate crisis
Created: 2022-11-09 06:10
By: Victoria Krumbeck
Not only do we have to protect the climate, we also have to adapt to the changes.
In some cities there are already concepts that have been worked out, in others they are thinking about it.
Hamburg/Munich - Since weather records began, no summer in Europe has been as warm as the summer of 2022. Extremely high temperatures, dryness and drought ran through the summer months.
And even now, autumn is showing its milder side.
The fact that the climate is changing cannot be overlooked.
People and cities will have to live with the effects, because one thing is clear: more temperature records will probably be set in the near future.
Climate adaptation in Germany: More trees in the big cities
The UN climate summit is currently taking place in Egypt.
The heads of government will talk there about climate change, its effects and how to stop it.
But even if politicians act now, climate change can no longer be reversed.
It is therefore all the more important to prepare for what lies ahead in the coming years.
A housing estate with many trees in the Ruhr area.
© Hans Blossey/IMAGO
Some municipalities and cities have launched concepts and strategies to live with climate change.
Because particularly densely populated cities like Berlin are facing a major challenge.
It's hard to breathe in the city on hot summer days.
The warm air accumulates and even at night it hardly escapes.
Whether streets or houses, the concrete stores the heat and releases it to the outside world.
In districts like Neukölln, significantly more trees and less asphalt are needed, as climate scientist Felix Creutzig
explained to
Spiegel .
Preparing for climate change: green roofs in Hamburg
The city of Hamburg has launched a so-called "green roof strategy".
At least 70 percent of the new buildings as well as suitable roofs to be renovated should be greened.
The city wants to plant a total of 100 hectares of roof space.
Trees not only ensure better air.
When it's hot in the city, they also evaporate large amounts of water through their leaves, thereby cooling the ambient temperature.
In addition, the green areas on the roofs ensure natural insulation in winter and summer.
Mannheim developed a heat action plan that is more like a heat alert plan.
Because when the temperatures get too dangerous, vulnerable groups and helpless people should be warned, supported and advised.
Concepts are designed with old people's and nursing homes.
With the help of an app, drinking fountains and public places to cool down should be recommended, as the climate protection policy officer of the city of Mannheim explained to Spiegel.
Arm yourself for climate change - avoid flood disasters through preparation
In Hamm, the Lippe flows along the city center.
And just last year, the flood disaster in the Ahr valley showed what heavy rain and flooding can do.
Numerous measures were taken to protect against flooding, as explained by the Hammer environmental officer.
The Lippe was unleashed, land was given back to the river, 22 hectares were created for potential flooding, and the dike was moved inland.
Hamm wants even more and has set itself the goal of climate neutrality by 2035.
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Protecting the climate means avoiding the worst and living with previous effects.
In most cases, there is no lack of will or money.
Many municipalities are simply understaffed and have limited resources.
(vk)
