UV and Heat Protection Walk Hand in Hand – At the City of Cologne’s Heat Action Day

10/06/2026

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the City of Cologne will host the event “Hitze im Veedel – Infostand und Hitzespaziergang in Köln-Ehrenfeld“. As a cooperating partner, the project “DIE SONNE UND WIR” will participate with an interactive UV protection area. The entire event is part of the nationwide Heat Action Day and organized by the City of Cologne’s Office for Environmental and Consumer Protection and the Public Health Department.

Two children wearing decorated sun caps at a "DIE SONNE UND WIR" event - Photo: DIE SONNE UND WIR

From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors can stop by Neptunplatz in Cologne-Ehrenfeld to learn about climate change, heat and UV protection, and health-related topics. More information about the event and registration for the guided heat walks is available at www.stadt-koeln.de/hitzeportal.

As a cooperating partner, the project “DIE SONNE UND WIR” will participate with an interactive UV protection area. The project complements the City of Cologne’s information program by highlighting an important aspect of preventive health care on sunny days: protecting the skin and eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Heat and UV radiation often occur together on sunny summer days, but they affect the body in different ways. High temperatures can strain the cardiovascular system and reduce overall well-being. UV radiation, on the other hand, acts directly on the skin and eyes: it can cause sunburn, lead to long-term skin damage, and increase the risk of skin cancer. UV exposure can also harm the eyes.

The connection between climate change and UV protection is becoming increasingly important. According to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), climate change in Germany is contributing to greater UV exposure among the population and, consequently, to a higher risk of UV-related diseases, including cancers of the skin and eyes. Factors contributing to this trend include changes in the ozone layer, altered cloud cover, an increase in sunshine hours, and shifts in recreational behavior during periods of higher temperatures.

“DIE SONNE UND WIR” is an initiative of the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) at the University of Cologne and the Department of Dermatology at Cologne University Hospital, and a partner of the campaign “CLEVER IN SONNE UND SCHATTEN” of the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe). The project's goal is to communicate scientifically sound knowledge about UV protection in a way that is accessible, easy to understand, and relevant to families.


For more information, visit DIE SONNE UND WIR. 


This message is based on a text by DIE SONNE UND WIR (Dr. Debora Grosskopf-Kroiher- Link to German version) and news on the website of the Medical Faculty, University of Cologne (Stephanie Wolff - Link to German version here).

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