According to The Left, Saxony urgently needs an action plan for heat waves. In a motion submitted to the state parliament, the government is called upon to develop such a statewide plan, the Left parliamentary caucus announced. Warnings should be centralized, and citizens should be informed about safety tips, points of contact, cooling centers, and emergency contacts.
State to Support Municipalities in Developing Their Own Action Plans
In addition, the Free State is called upon to support its municipalities in developing their own heatwave action plans. Drinking water fountains, shade structures, soil de-sealing, urban greening, misting systems, and cool, publicly accessible rest areas should be promoted. Minimum standards should apply to hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers, and schools—for example, regarding green spaces and biodiversity.
“The temperature is the same for everyone—and yet how well we can cope with a heat wave depends heavily on our living conditions. ‘No escape from the heat’—we refuse to accept that. Everyone should be able to protect themselves, just as everyone has the right in winter not to have to suffer from the cold,” said parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper, explaining the rationale behind the proposal.
