Temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius – barely imaginable in Luxembourg just a few years ago – have raised pressing questions: How exceptional is this heatwave really? Is it becoming the new normal? And what does it mean for Luxembourg society in terms of health, agriculture, the working world, and urban planning?
Our colleagues from RTL Radio explored these questions on Saturday afternoon with three guests: Andrew Ferrone, climatologist and director of European and international affairs at the Ministry of the Environment; Charel Ferring, president of the Luxembourg Rural Youth and Young Farmers; and general practitioner Dr David Heck.
Such heatwaves will occur with increasing frequency in the future, Ferrone said, emphasising that while public doubt is understandable, the scientific data is clear.
According to Dr Heck, the greatest immediate danger from extreme heat is dehydration, as the body loses significant fluids through sweating. However, he noted that his practice had not seen a notably higher number of patients than usual. Hospitals, on the other hand, did report an increase in heat-related cases.
Dr Heck added that a true heatstroke can be recognised by fever, dry and red skin, dizziness, and nausea. He reiterated his advice against exercising in direct sunlight, warning that people often underestimate the risks.
As such heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, expanded air conditioning in hospitals could be part of the response. Ferrone expressed surprise that a recently opened hospital in France was built without any cooling system. Beyond air conditioning, he argued that increasing greenery in public squares would also help mitigate high temperatures.
Regarding the "greening" of villages and towns, Ferrone said there are certainly ways to introduce more vegetation without hindering major events such as the Schueberfouer on the Glacis. His comments came after Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer recently stated that no additional green spaces were needed in the capital. Renaturation efforts along the Pétrusse valley have shown progress in recent years, though room for improvement remains. The pace of change is in part due to local autonomy, which can slow decision-making.
Many people had been surprised that hay was not as dry as expected, Ferring noted, attributing this to the high humidity. For livestock, he said, the current temperatures are far too high – even at just under 20 degrees Celsius, conditions begin to become challenging. On his farm, animals have constant access to pasture, which they benefit from particularly at night, and Ferring and his staff have deployed large fans to provide additional relief.
Ferring said that a real drought cannot yet be declared, but warned that if conditions persist for another week, the situation could become problematic. As for crops, he regretted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict what should be planted. While a number of options exist, he added that some would require increased use of plant protection products, emphasising that there is no miracle solution.
If Luxembourg aims to expand vegetable production, Ferring argued, access to water would need to be improved. Several projects are already underway, including the construction of retention basins. However, he noted that political will is still partly lacking in some areas.
Ferrone added that because Luxembourg's rivers are small, they heat up quickly and are less effective at flushing out pollution. As a result, he stressed, the country must take particularly good care of its domestic waterways.
One concern with air conditioning is its high energy consumption. Such systems should therefore not be installed everywhere, but rather prioritised in places where they are genuinely needed – such as hospitals and retirement homes. Studies have shown that the proliferation of air conditioning units in large cities contributes significantly to local warming
According to Dr Heck, making blanket statements about working conditions in extreme heat is difficult, as individuals react differently to high temperatures. He suggested that Luxembourg could look to other countries where work is suspended during certain hours of the day, though he acknowledged that a complete shutdown would likely not be a viable solution.
Ferrone noted that the national climate adaptation plan envisions a combination of measures tailored to various alert levels. However, he emphasised that implementing such measures would require close cooperation among a range of stakeholders.
Ferring said that young farmers are actively engaging with the challenges posed by climate change and experimenting with new approaches – even if they sometimes encounter setbacks. He observed that society's expectations of farmers have shifted considerably over the decades, from a post-war focus on food security to today's emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection. At the same time, farmers remain dependent on international prices; when low yields from drought coincide with low market prices, he warned, financial pressures can quickly mount.
Dr Heck added that rising temperatures also favour the establishment of invasive species in Luxembourg, which could introduce new diseases. This, he noted, represents an additional source of pressure on the agricultural sector.
