The Viennese Greens called on Tuesday for measures against the consequences of the high temperatures in the city. The number of hot days was increasing and therefore action had to be taken quickly, representatives Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus demanded at a press conference. For example, free access to baths and free public transport on hot days are mandatory. The Greens are also in favor of a comeback for ‘cool streets’.
“The next hot summer is here. The city is warming up again,” said Kraus. He also referred to statistics from the previous year, which recorded 36 days above 30 degrees Celsius. And new record temperatures have also occurred worldwide in recent days, the Viennese leader of the Greens reported. The effects are dramatic. Kraus says more people now die from the heat than from traffic.
Green: More shade from bus stops
According to the eco-party, measures are now needed for socio-economically disadvantaged people who do not have air conditioning or a terrace. Free access to baths and the possibility to use public transport for free on hot days are encouraged. Better shielding of stops or pool cash registers is also required. Summer emergency shelter is also considered helpful.
Unsealing of concrete surfaces required
In general, there should be more shadow zones in the city, the Greens believe. There must be cool rooms in the town hall or district offices. It also makes sense to fill up free water bottles in shops. The green economy has already started a corresponding project. In the longer term, according to the Greens, it is also necessary to unseal concrete surfaces.
Criticism of the “cool streets” came back at the end. These were offered in 2020 – so still under red-green. The campaign was very successful, but Rot-Pink dropped out, Pühringer complained. In that year, individual streets throughout Vienna were closed to traffic and fitted with seating areas and mist showers. After the departure of the Greens from the government, the project was not continued and since then cars can park undisturbed again.
A campaign by the Greens also draws attention to the problem of heat stress. Until the end of August, not only stickers, flyers or posters will be handed out – but also fans.
Source: Krone
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