Vienna apartments become heat traps for elderly during heatwave

Vienna, Austria – Elderly residents in Vienna are facing significant health risks as their apartments become heat traps during the ongoing heatwave. New measurements indicate that indoor temperatures in some homes are soaring higher than the outside air, creating dangerous conditions.

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) has been conducting temperature monitoring in twelve apartments across Vienna since June. The study, a collaboration with Greenpeace and Volkshilfe, specifically includes homes of seniors affected by poverty. The data is being made publicly available through an online dashboard.

Greenpeace climate expert Marc Dengler and Volkshilfe Director Erich Fenninger are urging immediate action to implement protective measures. They emphasize that vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, especially when they lack the means to adequately cool their living spaces.

The findings highlight a critical issue for urban living during periods of intense heat. As temperatures rise, the lack of effective cooling solutions in residential buildings can turn homes into hazardous environments, posing a serious threat to the health and well-being of older individuals.