Homelessness relief advocate advocates for expanded cold-weather shelters at Caritas
In a statement made to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Eva Welskop-Deffaa, the President of the German Caritas Association, has expressed concerns about the lack of heat protection for homeless people in train stations as climate change brings about rising temperatures.
Welskop-Deffaa highlighted the plight of homeless individuals, who lack access to basic cooling spaces, and are particularly at risk during hot weather. She urged immediate action to prevent demands for the expulsion of homeless people from urban areas, echoing similar concerns raised in the USA.
To address this issue, Welskop-Deffaa suggested securing and intensifying social services in the area of train stations. She proposed offering facilities like laundry rooms, cultural meeting points, and increased access to water and shade, which could help prevent deterioration, reduce health risks, and maintain societal empathy for homeless people.
In addition, Welskop-Deffaa advocated for the use of train stations and public buildings as cooling centers, where homeless people can find refuge during heatwaves. She also supported increased social outreach and mobile aid teams that distribute water, sunscreen, and provide information or transport to cooling facilities.
As climate change continues to impact Germany, the number of hot days is projected to increase. Without a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Berlin could face between 20 and 35 hot days per year by 2071 to 2100. However, if the Paris climate goals are adhered to, the number of hot days can be limited to an average of ten to 16 per year.
While specific measures taken in Germany to provide heat protection for homeless people in train stations are not extensively documented, it is known that European cities are increasingly implementing heat protection strategies for vulnerable populations like the homeless. These strategies often include municipal heat action plans that integrate long-term climate adaptation, such as urban greening to reduce urban heat islands and infrastructure upgrades to improve cooling in public spaces.
However, for Germany specifically, more detailed current policies on heat protection for homeless people in stations and explicit climate adaptation strategies addressing increasing hot days would need verification from German government or local municipal sources. If you have access to such information, it would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the steps being taken to address this issue in Germany.
Science and environmental-science are vital in addressing the rising issue of climate change and its impact on vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals. In response to soaring temperatures in train stations, Welskop-Deffaa, the President of the German Caritas Association, advocates for the implementation of health-and-wellness measures, like cooling centers, increased access to water, and sunscreen distribution, which are aligned with the goals of the Paris agreement for a sustainable and resilient future.
