Climate change request
(Vienna, June 01, 2020) In order to make the already noticeable changes and effects of the climate crisis visible, the people's climate initiative is launching the “Voices of ClimateChange” campaign. This provides a platform for people affected by the climate crisis in a wide variety of areas. Her personal stories should show people all over Austria why courageous climate protection is needed now. To kick off, the Red Cross and the Austrian federal forest represent the health consequences, droughts and increased natural disasters.
How the climate crisis affects agriculture and forestry
The changed climatic conditions due to global warming are particularly evident in the form of extreme weather. Heat waves with temperatures above 40 ° C occur earlier in the year and last longer. Milder winters ensure that there are hardly enough cold periods anymore, which favors the spread of parasites, viruses and pests. The water supply to the soil is worrying, the plants are stressed and susceptible to various pests, as the bark beetle plague has clearly shown in recent years.
“The climate crisis is progressing at a rapid pace. Harrowing images of forest dieback caused by drought and bark beetles from the Waldviertel, the Czech Republic and Germany testify to this. If we do not manage to slow down global warming quickly, such pictures will become part of everyday life! Quo vadis, forestry! Our offspring will thank us! " DI Dr. Rudolf Freidhager, board member of the Austrian Federal Forest
Why the climate crisis is fueling catastrophes of the century
Increasing extreme weather events such as floods, heavy rain, hail and storms increase the risk to people and change our living space tremendously. Coping with these so-called century-old disasters such as flood events, forest fires or avalanches or debris flows is the core task of disaster protection. The effects of climate change always present helpers with new challenges due to their increasing frequency and intensity.
When the climate crisis affects our health
A healthy life only works on a healthy planet. Heat waves, allergies, intolerance and infectious diseases are on the rise. Elderly people at risk of poverty, children and people who work outdoors or suffer from chronic diseases will be increasingly affected by climatic changes.
“We know that heat and drought can be extremely stressful for health. Older people in particular suffer in the summer months. That is why the Red Cross opens so-called cooling centers in several cities - in other words, air-conditioned rooms where people can relax. That is important and helps. It is even more important to do everything humanly possible so that the climate crisis does not make it even hotter and drier in the future. " Univ.-Prof. GDR. Gerald Schöpfer, President, Austrian Red Cross
From 2.6. starts the campaign “Voices of Climate Change” and lets affected people from all over Austria have their say!
The climate crisis is already there and changing something affects us all. Together with the people of Austria, we therefore call on politicians to assume their share of responsibility and to create future-proof framework conditions. This is the only way we can turn things around. Therefore, sign the Climate Change Request from June 22-29.6.2020, XNUMX. It's about our future.
Information & pictures: https://klimavolksbegehren.at/presse/
To the climate change request: The registration week of the climate change request is from 22.-29. June. As an independent voice, the climate change request jointly urges citizens and other organizations to act politically - for a future worth living. There are now over 800 people in all federal states who are committed to the climate change request. We worked out our demands together with experts from climate science, environmental NGOs and other organizations.
You can find out more on our website: www.klimavolksbegehren.at
Press contact:Mag. Kathrin Resinger, MAKlima people's request | Head of Press + 43 (0) 677 63 751340 k.resinger@klimavolksbegehren.at
ON THE CONTRIBUTION TO OPTION AUSTRIA
