The Fabric of the Natural World: Exploring and Understanding Our Surroundings - Effort seeks to heat-proof Berlin by 2040.
The "People's Vote for Trees" Berlin Initiative recently unveiled its final proposal for a law titled "TreesPlus." This legislation aims to enhance citizens' resilience against severe weather conditions such as heat waves, droughts, and heavy rain. By 2040, the initiative intends to make Berlin climate-proof. Their ultimate aim is to hold a referendum on this law.
"TreesPlus" draft suggests focusing on areas known as "heat districts" characterized by high thermal stress, subpar air quality, and a low tree canopy. To mitigate these challenges, efforts would be made to maintain existing trees and plant new ones. This action could potentially decrease peak temperatures by 2-3°C. Additionally, the proposal suggests having a tree every 15 meters on both sides of the street.
Besides, the law also recommends rainwater recycling, green roofs, "cool islands," and green spaces as climate change adaptation objectives. After unveiling the initial draft in March, the initiative incorporated over 200 improvement suggestions.
The long journey for the initiative towards a possible referendum starts with submitting the draft to Berlin's Interior Administration for cost estimation. An official cost analysis by the Senate is necessary for requesting the start of a citizens' initiative. This formal appeal must be directed to the Senate's Interior Administration. Obtaining at least 20,000 valid signatures from eligible voters is a prerequisite.
Following this initiative, there would be another signature-gathering phase. Gathering signatures from at least 7% of the voters eligible for Berlin's House of Representatives within a four-month window, equivalent to approximately 170,000 people, would initiate a referendum. The referendum procedure would then resemble an election process. The target is to hold the referendum no later than the 2026 House of Representatives election.
"People's Vote for Trees" was founded in August 2023 by Génica Schäfgen (CEO of Berlin's Ecosia), Heinrich Stroßenreuther (an environmental activist), and Maike Voss (managing director of the Center for Planetary Health Policy).
Read also:
- Tough return to normality in snow and ice
- Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls
- Trial against BND employee from mid-December
- Xhaka leads Leverkusen to triumph in cup tournament, scoring two goals.
- This Berlin Initiative, known as "People's Vote for Trees," aligns with Germany's larger goals in tackling climate-related challenges, such as heat waves and droughts, in its urban centers.
- The final proposal, titled "TreesPlus," for Berlin aims to reduce the city's heat districts and boost its resilience against extreme weather conditions, such as those seen in Germany's natural climate.
- As part of this initiative, Berliners could vote in a future referendum on a law that emphasizes improving the city's nature, weather, and climate, including efforts to plant new trees and adopt green technologies.
- In the effort to make Berlin climate-proof, the initiative includes proposals like rainwater recycling, green roofs, and green spaces as vital steps in adapting to the challenges faced in Germany's changing climate and weather patterns.
Source: www.stern.de
