UV radiation and the climate crisis: need for action for cities and municipalities

Source: Laurin Schmid

When it comes to protection from UV radiation, there is an urgent need for action in many cities and municipalities. Especially in day-care centres, playgrounds, and school yards, local authorities consider protective measures such as more shaded areas to be urgently needed. This was the result of a representative survey of around 1,000 mayors conducted by the Forsa Institute on behalf of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS).

Seven out of ten respondents stated that they were aware of the consequences of climate change for local authorities. However, only four out of ten feel well informed about the associated increasing risk of UV radiation. The Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Christian Kühn, and BfS President, Inge Paulini, presented the study today at the start of a BfS UV protection campaign.

Paulini: "Those who seek shade should be able to find it"

Christian Kühn Source: Laurin Schmid

Parliamentary State Secretary Christian Kühn: "The year 2022 was characterised by record temperatures and sunshine throughout Germany. Because of the worsening climate crisis, the number of hours of sunshine has been increasing for years. This has led to an increased risk of UV-related health problems such as skin cancer.

The federal government, federal states, and local authorities must also make progress in preparing for the consequences of the climate crisis in order to effectively protect people from harmful radiation. With its UV protection campaign, the BfS is making an important, practical contribution to municipal decision-makers."

Inge Paulini and Christian Kühn Source: Laurin Schmid

BfS-president Inge Paulini explained: "We can – and must – protect ourselves and others from solar UV radiation and its negative health consequences. This includes creating sufficient shaded areas wherever people spend time – in nurseries, schools, parks, public squares, and athletic facilities. Those who seek shade should be able to find it – this applies everywhere.

Municipal decision-makers have a central role to play here. We therefore want to provide them with targeted support and motivate them to improve the UV protection of the population in everyday life."

Source: Forsa 2023, commissioned by the BfS

According to the survey, many mayors (58%) consider targeted UV protection for the population to be important or very important.

However, only 25% of cities and municipalities stated that they had implemented UV protection measures such as awnings or tree planting in recent years. Around 71% reported that they felt poorly or very poorly informed about UV protection measures in local authorities.

With its campaign about UV protection in municipalities, sports, and childcare, the BfS provides information to the general public

The BfS has compiled information for decision-makers in local authorities, nurseries, schools, and sports clubs. Under the motto "UV-safe", the information campaign is intended to motivate cities, daycare centres, schools, and sports clubs to implement UV protection measures over the next few months.

This includes easily accessible information on daily UV exposure or adjusting our daily routines. Local authorities, nurseries, schools, and sports clubs can access these suggestions on the BfS website. The BfS also offers three-day forecasts of the UV index. These can be subscribed to as a newsletter (www.bfs.de/uv-newsletter).

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) facilitates implementation through the programmes "Measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change" and "Climate adaptation in social institutions". This can promote the creation of shaded areas that also provide protection from the heat. In addition, the Zentrum KlimaAnpassung (ZKA) offers advice, information and networking, especially for local authorities, on behalf of the BMUV. Risk prevention and adaptation to the consequences of the climate crisis is a priority of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and the Federal Government in this legislative period.

Protection from UV radiation

The BfS campaign is also supported by experts from the UV Protection Alliance such as the Working Group on Dermatological Prevention (ADP) and Deutsche Krebshilfe (DKH). To launch the campaign, national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sent a video message in which he emphasised the underestimated risks of UV radiation for children and adolescents.

For the survey, Forsa interviewed 1,020 randomly selected mayors between 13 February and 6 March 2023. The results are representative and can be downloaded from the BfS website.

Further information and images of the campaign can be found in the digital press kit.