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Heat wave in Neumünster: Experts warn of rising temperatures!
Neumünster analyzes heat stress, gives recommendations for action and provides information about preventive measures against summer heat.
Heat wave in Neumünster: Experts warn of rising temperatures!
Summer is in full swing and brings not only sunshine but also intensified heat stress. Neumünster recently commissioned a comprehensive analysis of heat stress in the city. This research aims to help understand and combat the impact of increased temperatures on residents' quality of life. According to the results of the German Environmental Aid's heat ranking, Neumünster slipped from a green to a yellow card in June, reflecting the rising temperatures that are being felt even in northern Germany. But compared to other cities, Neumünster does relatively well, as kn-online.de states.
Beate Oedekoven from the Schleswig-Holstein Consumer Center has some practical tips on how we can deal with the heat. At the top of their list are: drinking a lot and taking individual and collective measures to ward off the heat. She particularly emphasizes the importance of greenery on roofs and facades to reduce temperatures in urban areas. Interest in advice on heat management has increased significantly, showing that the population is taking the issue seriously.
Hot spots in Neumünster
The urban climate analysis also identified specific heat islands in Neumünster, particularly in the Tungendorf and Gartenstadt districts. These areas suffer from high temperatures during the day because there are many green spaces but hardly any shade trees. At the same time, the residential areas around Großflecken, Kuhberg, Bahnhofstrasse and southern Kieler Strasse are affected by heat at night.
The situation in the AWO nursing home at the water tower is particularly worrying. When outside temperatures exceed 30 degrees, the inside temperature climbs to 24 degrees. Measures such as ventilation, closing windows and blinds and offering watermelons and ice cream are intended to help ensure the well-being of residents. Unfortunately, there is no air conditioning in the nursing home — and that is a real problem. Simple note: On particularly hot days, stickers were distributed that turn red when the room temperature is 28 degrees to draw attention to the heat.
Urban climate analysis as a guide
Let's take a look at the strategic perspective: The heat stress analysis was modeled in two steps. First, the current state was recorded by integrating various data points, such as terrain heights and the 3D city model. This foundation forms the “current state climate analysis map” and shows the current climate parameters that are relevant for the city. With the help of data from the German Weather Service and expectations for future development, it is assumed that temperatures in Neumünster will rise by 0.9 to 1.9 °C by 2050, as neumuenster.de confirms.
The challenges of climate change are tangible and require immediate action. The need to restructure cities to increase heat resilience is undisputed. There is an urgent need for action to minimize the negative effects of heat on the health and well-being of the population, as the Federal Ministry for Urban Development Policy notes.
Anyone interested can look forward to the consumer advice center's next online event on heat protection on Wednesday, July 16th. Further tips and measures are discussed here to cope with the heat and ensure the quality of life in Neumünster even in hot times.