Two 25-year-olds drive Munich tree petition against heat

Two 25-year-olds have collected around 50,000 signatures in four months for a citizen petition calling for more than 12,000 new trees in Munich, BR reports. Stephanie Günther and Joseph Coenen launched the campaign, known as the Baumentscheid, after becoming concerned about the effects of rising urban temperatures.

Munich recorded 37 days with temperatures above 30 degrees this year, as well as seven so-called tropical nights, when temperatures remained above 20 degrees. Coenen said a trip to Budapest two years ago made him aware of the problem personally.

“It was so hot that my circulation collapsed,” the 25-year-old said. “At the same time, I looked around and saw no tree anywhere, no shade.” The experience stayed with him and led him to consider ways to combat heat in Munich.

Coenen met Günther during a seminar called “Changemakers” at the Technical University of Munich. Both were born and raised in Munich and are 25. Coenen studies landscape architecture, while Günther is pursuing a master’s degree in political science after completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

They developed the idea for the citizen petition over coffee in the university canteen. The pair said they spent three days working at the university, mapping out possible approaches before refining their plans.

They subsequently held almost 100 discussions with experts, city politicians and the administration. They also joined forces with Baumentscheid e.V., an association that had already successfully advanced the cause in Berlin.

Günther described the campaign as a full-time job that she was happy to do. She said the petition was intended to protect people’s health and ability to work, while also enabling democratic participation and strengthening people’s sense that they can effect change.

“A lot of time and love went into it,” Günther said, adding that the intense period had also been rewarding and educational. She said the sense of community had been particularly positive.

Although the two organisers share many views, they belong to different parties. Günther is a member of the Greens, while Coenen belongs to the CSU. Coenen said this had not affected their cooperation.

“We want to show that the political centre must work together on issues this important,” he said. “When it comes to heat protection, it does not matter whether I vote left, right or somewhere in the middle. It affects everyone.”

The Munich city council is expected to decide how to proceed with the petition after the summer recess. Mayor Dominik Krause, who is a member of the Greens, has expressed general sympathy for its aims but also pointed to the costs. Depending on the location, a tree costs between 5,000 and 95,000 euros.