Kusel in climate change: This is how the district protects schools and sports facilities!

Kusel in climate change: This is how the district protects schools and sports facilities!

The challenges of climate change are now on everyone’s lips. The risks to educational institutions and public buildings have been particularly targeted in the Kusel district. The focus is, among other things, on the Miroslav Klose Stadium on Roßberg, which is considered the most modern open-air sports facility in the region. In summer, however, the lack of shaded areas becomes a real burden, the second reason being the increasing pressure caused by more frequent heat waves and heavy rain, which not only endanger buildings but also people's health.

Since 2023, the district has been struggling to develop concepts to improve school and community infrastructure in order to face the threatening consequences of climate change. The health aspect plays a central role here. Studies show that extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rains, pose immediate health risks. In this context, the Federal Environment Agency has pointed out that in Germany climate change is perceived as important for human health, with forecasts of significant health risks.

Focus on health risks

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies climate change as “the greatest health threat to humanity.” In this context, particularly vulnerable groups such as older people, pregnant women or people with previous illnesses must be protected, as they suffer the most from the consequences, as the Robert Koch Institute reports. The rising temperatures not only affect the cardiovascular system; Psychological stress such as stress and anxiety are also increasing.

Limited access to high-quality drinking water and threats to the food supply are further indirect consequences that arise from changing environmental conditions. These developments shed sharp light on the need to develop evidence-based strategies to strengthen the resilience of the population, the Federal Environment Agency continued.

Strategic measures and outlook

In the context of these challenges, the Kusel district has set the course to create a sustainable and future-proof infrastructure. School and service buildings not only have to be prepared against the climatic challenges. Existing buildings should also be adapted so that they are better protected from the consequences of climate change.

The motivation is clear: we want to protect the health of citizens and at the same time contribute to ensuring that future generations grow up in a healthy environment. In a comprehensive approach, not only structural measures should be taken, but raising awareness among the population is also of central importance. Educational institutions could play a key role by keeping up with both technology and education to meet the challenges of climate change.

The Kusel district shows how a municipality can become a role model in dealing with the challenges of climate change. Further information about this and the institutions involved can be found on the website of Rheinpfalz, Umweltbundesamt and Robert Koch Institute.