Image: Jagersberger
Image: regina sturm/City of Linz
Biodiversity researcher Franz Essl from the University of Vienna gives the city of Linz a mixed report when it comes to climate protection. On the one hand, he praises the work of institutions such as the Natural History Station and urban programs such as the climate change adaptation concept or the urban ecological turnover program, which takes measures to promote urban nature throughout the city. Linz stands out from other cities. “Every self-respecting city should have an ambitious urban ecology program,” says Essl and calls for the expansion of the natural history station, which was already equipped with more resources. Only green cities are cities with a quality of life.
Absurd amounts of money for highway projects
On the other hand, he sharply criticizes the construction of the Westring. “How does Austria want to go towards climate neutrality if at the same time it is expanding its high-ranking road network?” is the rhetorical question of Essl, who speaks of absurd sums that would be better invested in other projects. The scientist also has no understanding of reallocations in the Linz green belt. Green air corridors are a prerequisite for ensuring that the urban climate does not deteriorate massively. Due to climate change, city centers are heating up; in summer it is up to four degrees hotter than in the surrounding areas. “The corridors bring in cold air, increase the humidity and counteract the drying out of the urban climate,” says Essl. Even more would be possible with protected areas.
Positive changes
With this analysis, he is hitting open doors with Climate City Councilor Eva Schobesberger (Greens). However, she emphasizes that a lot of things have changed for the better in Linz in recent years. “The mayor is now my main supporter when it comes to planting trees,” says Schobesberger, recalling that the natural history station was already on the savings list in 2014. It was a huge effort to prevent that.
Image: regina sturm/City of Linz
Essl was a guest at the “Changing Urban Landscape” conference in the Wissenturm today and gave the opening keynote on the topic “Biodiversity – out of the crisis!”.
My themes
For your saved topics were
new articles found.
info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.
info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.
Add the topic to your topics.
Source: Nachrichten
