Bavaria's Greens Demand Public Cool Spaces to Combat Heatwave Threat

The Green Party in Bavaria's state parliament is demanding the state government identify, promote, and publicize all publicly accessible cool locations across Bavaria. This call comes as a measure to protect residents from increasingly severe heatwaves, particularly for those whose homes offer little respite from record temperatures.

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The state government has a duty to protect the people of Bavaria - but it is grossly neglecting it.

Patrick Friedl, the Green Party's spokesperson for nature conservation and climate adaptation, sharply criticized the state government, stating, "The state government has a duty to protect the people of Bavaria - but it is grossly neglecting it." He stressed the urgency for people to quickly find relief, whether in their own homes or in public spaces, by being able to locate shade, drinking water, and cool rooms with a simple search. Friedl insisted that the state government must take direct action rather than leaving this responsibility to cities and municipalities.

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When one's own apartment becomes a heat trap, quick help is crucial. The same applies to the hot pavement of the cities. People must be able to see with a single click where they can find shade, drinking water, and a cool room nearby.

However, the Bavarian Ministry of Health indicated that a statewide mapping and promotion of such cool spaces are not currently planned. The ministry also stated that establishing minimum standards for these locations, such as accessibility for people with disabilities or the provision of free drinking water, is not foreseen. They expressed concern that imposing strict criteria could lead to a reduction in the overall availability of "cool rooms," as some venues, like churches, might not meet all requirements, such as Wi-Fi or medical first aid.

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The state government must take action itself, instead of shifting this task onto cities and municipalities.

The Green Party is advocating for a nationwide digital map, reliable rules for cool spaces, and targeted support for local authorities. They propose utilizing existing infrastructure funds to transform public buildings like town halls, libraries, community centers, schools, and gymnasiums into safe havens during extreme heat. The Ministry of Construction acknowledged the critical role of climate-resilient urban planning in mitigating climate change impacts, noting that cities and communities face significant challenges in adapting to extreme weather events.

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The state government has a duty to protect the people of Bavaria - but it is grossly neglecting it.