Demands Call for Enhanced Thermal Protection in Saxony - Demand for Enhanced Heat Protection Rises among Liberals in Saxony
In the German state of Saxony, only five municipalities have a valid heat action plan, according to a recent response from the health ministry to a minor inquiry. This figure is not satisfactory, as stated by Susanne Schaper, a member of the Left party in the state parliament who is advocating for improved heat protection measures.
Sadly, between 2018 and 2023, a total of 13 people in Saxony have died due to heat and sunlight. To address this issue, Schaper suggests several measures, including the establishment of a statewide early warning system, preferably via mobile phones, and better networking between the state and municipalities through the state health office.
Schaper also advocates for a heat protection action plan in every municipality in Saxony. To further support this initiative, she recommends the creation of a state funding program for swimming pool investments, which could provide a much-needed respite from the heat for many residents.
However, the focus on heat protection measures in Dresden, Saxony, and Germany as a whole has primarily been on public information campaigns, advice for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with health conditions, and calls for institutional adaptations such as improved building retrofitting and water access.
In Dresden specifically, no distinct or additional measures targeting vulnerable populations like the homeless are mentioned in the available sources. To rectify this, Schaper proposes several solutions:
- Establish dedicated cooling centers and shelters: Open air-conditioned public spaces where homeless individuals can find refuge during heatwaves, as Germany currently lacks widespread use of air conditioning, and many vulnerable people have limited access to cooling.
- Distribute hydration supplies: Provide free drinking water stations accessible to homeless individuals, paralleling calls for free water access in schools and public spaces.
- Outreach and education: Implement targeted outreach by social services to inform homeless populations about heat risks and protective behaviors.
- Invest in retrofitting shelters: Ensure homeless shelters are climate-adapted with cooling capabilities, adequate shading, and ventilation, similar to hospital retrofitting programs.
- Integrate heat protection into social support plans: Coordinate city and state authorities to include extreme heat as a factor in emergency social support, following the Health Ministry’s guidance emphasizing local initiative.
By implementing these measures, we can help protect vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless, from the rising risks associated with heatwaves in Dresden and Saxony.
- Within the community policy discourse, there is a need for a focus on Heat-and-wellness policies to address the increasing risks associated with heatwaves, especially among vulnerable populations like the homeless.
- In line with promoting Science and Environmental-science, policymakers should consider incorporating therapies-and-treatments that are climate-change resilient into the employment policy, particularly for jobs related to heat protection and disaster management.
- To strengthen the Employment policy, it is essential to prioritize the provision of jobs in Mental-health, especially in the context of heatwaves, considering their impact on mental well-being and overall Health-and-wellness.
