The next heat wave has been forecast in Germany. How is a country known for its lack of air conditioning preparing?
This summer has seen some hot days in Germany. Very hot. In early July, temperatures in Hamburg and Cologne soared to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 F). Some areas recorded temperatures close to 40 C.
In earlier years, such temperatures were not typically recorded until early August — a development that experts attribute to climate change. On radio, television and social media, people were urged to stay at home, especially during the middle of the day.
During that heat wave, DW asked people on the streets of Berlin how they prepared. A young woman showed the small fan she had with her, saying: “In the end I have this thing here.”
Another woman said: “I try to cool off. I drink a lot but still try to enjoy the sun.”
A man said: “I have my hat, drink a lot of water and walk in the shade.”
In 2025 so far, temperatures have been extremely high for only short stretches, not over long periods. What can authorities do to better protect people from extreme heat? DW asked spokespeople from federal ministries in Berlin whether the government is planning any new measures following the first heat wave in early July.
“It is up to state-level and local authorities to take action,” Health Ministry spokesperson Sabine Grüneberg said. “We are responsible for informing people.”
She referred residents to the website hitzeservice.de, which contains comprehensive information, including advice specific for elderly people and people with illnesses. The website started in 2023, though other countries such as France have had similar services for much longer.
Wildfires in eastern Germany
The Interior Ministry said the army was always prepared to help — especially with forest fires. Soldiers were involved in the aerial effort to fight massive wildfires in Saxony and Brandenburg, with water dumped from helicopters.
There, firefighters, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief and local residents were able to avoid the worst on July 1. The Ghorischheide area of northern Saxony was especially affected. An area of about 2,100 hectares burned for days and some homes had to be evacuated as a precaution.
The federal government’s NINA app also provides warnings of such fires. It has been used by 12 million people since it was developed 10 years ago. It contains current information and warnings about floods and weather conditions, including heat waves. Recently, it has added warnings from the police.
Doctors warn against trivializing hot weather
In hospitals, elderly care facilities and homeless shelters, workers are even busier than usual on hot days, ensuring that people have enough water and, above all, protection from the sun.
“Such a heat wave should not be underestimated,” Peter Bobbert, president of the Berlin Medical Association, told DW. “We all need to actively protect ourselves: avoid hot places in the city, drink enough — and above all care for people who are not able to protect themselves.”
High temperatures do not only reduce people’s concentration and performance. Doctors like Bobbert warn that heat can lead to heart and circulatory failure — which can be deadly for people who are ill or elderly.
According to the German consumer comparison website Verivox, in 2023 there was air conditioning in 13% of German homes. Last year, the rate was 19%. Currently, demand is lower again, which experts attribute to Germany’s high electricity prices. Air conditioning is, however, still lacking in hospitals, care facilities and schools.
It is very difficult for road construction workers to avoid the heat — as seen in the big heat wave of early July in Munich. One worker described how he and his colleagues normally lay about 100 meters (328 feet) of new road surface per day. During the heatwave, that reduced by half.
“We drink enough,” civil engineer Charikleia Kagiaoglo said. “We take a lot of breaks and make ourselves as comfortable as we can on the building site.”
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/how-germany-manages-extreme-heat-and-climate-change/a-73227923
