Climate crisis: UV protection is becoming increasingly important

Crocuses in the snow Source: Smileus/Stock.adobe.com

Extreme weather is one of the tangible effects of the climate crisis. According to Germany's National Meteorological Service, March 2022 reached a historic record with over 200 hours of sunshine. As a result of the climate crisis, the cloud cover situation in Germany has changed to such an extent over recent years that the average number of sunshine hours per year is increasing.

The climate crisis is therefore also having an impact on UV radiation. More hours of sunshine mean a longer period for which UV radiation can reach the Earth’s surface unimpeded. For example, analyses of data from the Germany-wide UV monitoring network, with its central office at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), show that the annual total of measured UV irradiance is also very high in years with a high sunshine duration. In years with a great deal of sunshine, such as 2003 and 2018, this total was significantly higher than the 20-year average.

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

In terms of the health consequences, a new emphasis must be placed on protection against UV radiation: "The climate crisis increases the risk of UV-related health damage for all of us – including the risk of skin cancer. It is therefore more important than ever to permanently enshrine the question of protection against the sun in our everyday lives", says Inge Paulini, President of the BfS.

This requires a change in attitudes: "Now, as in the past, protection against the sun is often only associated with high temperatures in the summer months. But UV indexes in Germany already reach sunburn-causing values in spring", says Paulini. "Sunburn must always be avoided – UV protection is in season all year round."

BfS provides UV forecasts for the general public

The BfS therefore advises taking the UV index into account even at an early stage of the year. This index indicates the expected daily peak values of sunburn-causing UV radiation. UV-protection measures are recommended from a UV index of 3.

For 10 years now, the BfS has been providing the general public with, among other things, a UV newsletter containing forecasts of the UV situation. Subscribers to the newsletter receive information on UV index values in Germany every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from April to September. For a total of 10 forecast areas, the newsletter includes a three-day forecast of the UV index. In addition, citizens can find daily information on the UV index over the course of the day at the various UV measuring stations, of which there are currently 33, for the whole year on the BfS website.

The newsletter, which was initially used above all by representatives of the media, now has a much broader circulation – with people who spend a lot of time outdoors for work, as well as schools and nurseries, also taking advantage of this information service. "Children are more sensitive than adults to UV radiation and need help in order to be sufficiently protected in their everyday lives. By taking advantage of the UV index, school and nursery teachers play a key role in reducing the risk of UV-related health damage, including skin cancer, in children and adolescents", says Paulini.

How to protect yourself against UV radiation

Der UV-Index

Protection is required from a UV index of 3 and is absolutely necessary from a UV index of 8. Optimum UV protection is ensured by taking a variety of measures in the following order:

• avoiding strong sunlight
• wearing clothing that covers the skin
• using sun cream
• protecting the eyes.

Up to a UV index of 7, you should seek shade in the hours around midday in particular. Outdoors, the easiest ways to achieve effective UV protection are clothing, shoes and a hat. A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 20 for adults and at least 30 for children should be applied generously and repeatedly to all exposed areas of skin. The best protection for the eyes are a pair of sunglasses that fit snugly on the face and whose lenses filter UV radiation up to a wavelength of 400 nanometres (UV 400 label).

The BfS provides information on UV radiation and how you can protect yourself from it at: https://www.bfs.de/uv-schutz