Senate Endorses Heat Action Agenda for Bremen and Bremerhaven
Bremen-Bremerhaven Adopts Heat Action Plan to Protect Vulnerable Groups
The city-state of Bremen has taken a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by the climate crisis, with the adoption of the Heat Action Plan Bremen-Bremerhaven. The plan, which was approved by the Bremen Senate on September 10, aims to protect vulnerable groups from heatwave health risks and provide additional measures to cope with the growing threat of extreme heat.
The Heat Action Plan focuses on safeguarding those who are most at risk during heatwaves, including elderly individuals, young children, people with chronic health conditions, low-income households, homeless individuals, and those who are particularly exposed to heat due to their profession or living conditions.
The plan includes a total of 26 measures, some of which are geared towards immediate action, while others are medium- to long-term strategies. For instance, during a heatwave, cool, publicly accessible places will be made available for the general public. Additionally, playgrounds in daycare centers could be shaded to provide relief for young children.
In terms of long-term measures, the Heat Action Plan emphasizes urban planning, cooling infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, emergency preparedness plans, and community engagement. Urban planning efforts will focus on designing cities with green spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect, while cooling infrastructure will involve installing public cooling facilities and providing access to air-conditioned public spaces. Public awareness campaigns will educate the public about heat risks and prevention strategies, and emergency preparedness plans will ensure that emergency services are equipped to respond to heat-related emergencies. Community engagement will encourage local organizations to support vulnerable groups during heatwaves.
The Heat Action Plan was developed in collaboration with various administrations, healthcare professionals, and social organizations, including the doctors' chamber, pharmacists' chamber, nursing associations, and health insurance companies. Kathrin Moosdorf, Senator for Environment, Climate, and Science, stated that Bremen is already implementing several measures to protect against heat, such as informing the population, installing drinking fountains, and planting trees in the city.
As part of the Heat Action Plan, the population will receive information about health risks related to heat on a dedicated portal. The plan also sets spatial priorities, analyzing which city districts have a high concentration of heat-vulnerable people and which city areas heat up particularly strongly in the summer.
For specific details about the Heat Action Plan Bremen-Bremerhaven, it is best to contact local authorities or organizations involved in environmental and public health initiatives in the region.
