Suche
Mein Konto
Hot summer 2025: Hildesheim performs poorly, Lingen shines!
The DUH analyzes the heat stress in Lower Saxony, revealing Hildesheim's weaknesses and Lingen's positive approaches.
Hot summer 2025: Hildesheim performs poorly, Lingen shines!
The summer heat has Germany firmly under control, and this is also reflected in the ratings of the cities. The German Environmental Aid (DUH) examined 190 cities with regard to their heat stress and brought worrying results to light. Over 12 million people in German cities are exposed to extreme heat, which is worrying due to the high temperatures, the large sealed areas and the lack of green space in urban areas. Particularly noteworthy is the situation in Hildesheim, which performs poorly in the ranking of cities in Lower Saxony. news38.de reports that the city is struggling with an average surface temperature of 36 degrees in summer and high levels of sealing.
In contrast, Lingen proves to be a positive example. The city has a high proportion of green space and a low level of imperviousness, which puts it in fourth place in a nationwide comparison. Together with Wilhelmshaven, these cities are considered role models in Lower Saxony when it comes to dealing with heat stress. The DUH analyzed the heat situation using satellite data and the so-called “heat impact index”, which takes fundamental factors such as surface temperature, sealing and green areas into account. According to the results, cities like Oldenburg and Nordhorn have a lot of greenery, but there is still a need for action to reduce the heat stress on the population.
Protection from extreme heat
The need for action is strongly emphasized by experts. The DUH's third heat check calls for mandatory minimum green areas on properties and in public spaces. Setting up drinking fountains as a short-term measure could also help effectively. The creation of long-term solutions, such as the expansion of green spaces and the concept of the “sponge city” with green roofs and facades, is on the agenda of many municipalities. More and more cities in Lower Saxony are already working on heat action plans to better counteract extreme heat stress. [stern.de]. 91 percent of the population live in heavily polluted areas.
The situation becomes even more urgent when you consider that around 3,000 people in Germany die every year as a result of extreme heat. However, a positive trend could be observed in cities such as Kiel, Wilhelmshaven and Flensburg, which also need action despite moderate temperatures. A conscious approach and a clear strategy are necessary to counteract heat pollution in cities. The DUH's request to citizens to inform their cities about more heat protection could be an important step in the right direction. Innovative concepts such as cold air corridors are also needed to improve the urban climate.
The results highlight how important it is to act now. Hildesheim in particular needs rapid investments in order to be better prepared for the challenges of the future. Because when it comes to your own health and that of your fellow citizens, the responsibility lies in the hands of the cities and their citizens. A good hand at dealing with heat can not only increase the quality of life, but also significantly improve the well-being of the population.