Left-wing parties demand urgent measures for heat protection in Saxony

The Saxon Left Party believes that targeted prevention is urgently needed during prolonged periods of heat. "Heat protection is a health policy challenge that is growing year on year," explained party leader Susanne Schaper. With the increase in extreme weather, the number of people and animals for whom high temperatures pose a serious health risk is growing.

Although heat increases the risk of a heart attack, for example, Saxony lags far behind other federal states when it comes to protective measures. "Improving this is an important task for the coming electoral term, which must not be forgotten once the summer is over. Older people in particular deserve more support in protecting themselves from the heat."

Saxony needs a comprehensive strategy for heat protection

The Left Party is proposing eight concrete measures. Firstly, they are calling for an overarching strategy to prevent heat-related damage to health. Nothing has happened in this regard in Saxony since 2020, although the Conference of Health Ministers had already called for the creation and implementation of heat action plans across the country.

A heat protection action plan for the state must include measures for adaptation and prevention and regulate the communication and coordination of state and civil society bodies.

Furthermore, Saxony needs a state-run early warning system for heat waves that reaches everyone. The warnings could be focused on particularly vulnerable people. Information mailings to hospitals, nursing homes, day-care centers or schools, displays on electronic info screens in public facilities, at bus stops and on public transport and, last but not least, warnings via cell broadcast directly to every cell phone are all conceivable.

Leftists want an education and information campaign based on the Berlin model

The leftists are in favour of increasing education and information. "Unfortunately, people still often underestimate how much strain extreme and prolonged heat puts on the body."

Berlin has already launched such an education and information campaign under the title "Bärenhitze". For retirement and nursing homes, the Left Party is proposing an immediate program to make the buildings more heat-resistant. "Air conditioning systems and shading are particularly helpful here, ideally combined with a photovoltaic system." In any case, the aim is to provide special protection for certain groups of people. In addition to older people, infants, small children and people who work outdoors are also included.

According to the Left Party, the state of Saxony should support cities and municipalities with municipal protection concepts. Dresden is already exemplary in this respect. It is also a matter of supporting municipalities with unbureaucratic funding programs so that they can set up public drinking water fountains, cold rooms, spray shower and spray mist systems, for example. The last point of the action plan concerns the preservation of outdoor swimming pools.