“Homeland uninhabitable above 40 degrees” – VdB makes heat appeal
“Home becomes uninhabitable from 40°C”: Climate expert issues heat appeal as Austria swelters
Austrian climate expert Helga Kromp-Kolb has issued a public heat appeal amid record temperatures, warning that sustained heat above 40°C makes apartments dangerous to live in.
With Austria hitting 41.2°C for the second day in a row, Kromp-Kolb says the current heatwave is no longer just uncomfortable — it’s a health and housing crisis. At temperatures over 40°C, buildings overheat, nights don’t cool down, and vulnerable people face serious risks.
Health authorities are backing the warning. The Federal Medical Association and the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health are urging people to check on elderly neighbors, stay hydrated, and avoid the sun between 12pm and 4pm. They say dehydration, dizziness and confusion are the biggest immediate dangers, especially for older adults, chronically ill people, pregnant women and small children.
GeoSphere Austria has issued red-level heat warnings for eastern regions. Their advice: close blinds during the day, open windows at night, wear light clothing, and drink 2-3 liters of water. Austrian Federal Railways also warned of possible delays and strain on infrastructure due to the extreme heat.
Experts note this is the kind of extreme weather climate models predicted for the future — but it’s arriving now. Without better cooling in homes, schools and care facilities, repeated 40°C+ days will become increasingly dangerous to live through.