Climate change in our city

© M.Skramusky

Climate change is no longer a distant future scenario, but has become reality here in the region as well. For Saxony, an average temperature increase of 2 to 3 °C is expected by the end of the century compared to the reference period from 1981 to 2000. Humidity and heat conditions are increasingly fluctuating and the wind patterns are shifting in Saxony.

Due to frequent southwesterly winds, Dresden lies in the rain shadow of the Ore Mountains. This has serious consequences: The summer drought continues to increase and forestry and agricultural areas are reaching their limits. This leads to crop failures, forest dieback and pressure on the entire ecosystem.

So far, the conditions for coping well with the climate crisis have been particularly poor in cities. Building development shapes our lives and also the climate in a large city. There are many sealed surfaces, fewer green spaces and more buildings as cities grow. This causes a variety of difficulties, often related to heat problems and drought.

What can we do?

The city council decided on January 30, 2020 to revise the Dresden climate protection concept and to become more active. The development of the measures is still ongoing (status 11.2020). Here you can find information and starting points for your own commitment:  https://www.dresden.de/de/stadtraum/umwelt/umwelt/klima-und-energie/Klimaschutz.php

In concrete terms, everyone can already help the weakened trees in their neighborhood in times of drought and heat by providing 80 to 100 liters (8 to 10 buckets) of water per tree once a week. This is what BUND recommends instead of small daily watering amounts, in order to reach deeper root layers with the water.

Participation opportunities for citizens

The city offers a number of ways to get involved. These include, for example, online petitions that anyone who lives in Dresden can start and sign. So-called "residents' requests" or "citizens' petitions" are also possible. So if you can find enough people to support you, you can effectively bring your concerns to the attention of municipal officials.

There are also construction and transportation projects where you can contribute your opinions and wishes, question rounds with the city council or the mayor, as well as numerous volunteer jobs to get involved.

Further information: https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/gesellschaft/buergerbeteiligung.php

Volunteer work in Dresden

The city supports you in your search for a volunteer activity. The city's volunteer portal makes it easy to find all the projects or organizations that are currently in need of support.

Further information: https://www.ehrensache.jetzt/
Information regarding voluntary commitment in the city or city administration: https://www.dresden.de/de/leben/gesellschaft/02_buergerschaftliches_engagement.php

Associations and initiatives

There are many groups in the city where you can get involved in a cause or implement projects together with other committed people. They are as diverse as the ideas and visions of the people behind them. These include:

• Fridays for Future Dresden

  Climate change movement to get policymakers to act: https://fffdd.de/

• The Local Agenda 21 for Dresden e.V. aims at sustainable development and the strengthening of civil society cohesion in Dresden.
  Further information: https://la-dresden.de/

• The Gartennetzwerk (garden network) is part of the UFER association and creates community gardens all over Dresden, organizes workshops and community kitchens. Further information: https://www.dresden-pflanzbar.de/ & https://ufer-projekte.de/

• Konglomerat e.V. promotes the desire to do-it-yourself. In Rosenwerk, the association's CoMaking Space, you can realize your creative ideas together with others. Further information: https://konglomerat.org/

• The Umweltzentrum is a place for meetings and joint projects. It houses an environmental library, carries out projects and facilitates volunteer work. Further information: http://www.uzdresden.de/de/

• Mission Lifeline e.V. rescues refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea. Further information: https://mission-lifeline.de/

• INKOTA-Netzwerk e.V. is committed to solidarity and partnership with the global South. Further information: https://www.inkota.de/

• The project Nachhaltige Johannstadt - NaJo 2025 (Sustainable Johannstadt 2025) aims to transform this district into a particularly climate-friendly, sustainable and livable place. Further information: https://www.johannstadt.de/najo2025/

• The regional currency for Dresden, the Elbtaler, was conceived to complement the Euro and to support the local economy. Further information: https://www.elbtaler.de/