Germany has seen a tripling of the number of hot days since the 1950s, with a heatwave in 2022 resulting in around 8,000 deaths. The Robert Koch Institute estimates that there were around 4,500 heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022. With climate change set to increase the frequency of heatwaves, the country’s Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, has recently introduced a Heat Protection Plan aimed at halving the number of heat-related deaths. The plan was developed in collaboration with representatives from healthcare, local government, social organizations, and scientists.
The Heat Protection Plan aims to warn vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, of impending heatwaves earlier. The plan includes a partnership with the public broadcaster and the German Weather Service to provide warnings via SMS and the Nina Warning App. The Health Minister has set a target of reducing the number of heat-related deaths to below 4,000. The plan is a response to the increasing number of heatwaves in Germany, which are set to become more frequent due to climate change.
The Heat Protection Plan is a significant step towards reducing the number of heat-related deaths in Germany. The collaboration between various sectors of society, including healthcare, local government, and social organizations, is crucial in ensuring that vulnerable groups are adequately protected. The use of technology, such as SMS and the Nina Warning App, to provide warnings is also a positive development. However, it remains to be seen whether the plan will be effective in reducing the number of heat-related deaths, particularly as climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of heatwaves.
