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Although the number of deaths from fatal CO poisoning has strongly declined since the change from coal gas to natural gas, accidental and suicidal carbon monoxide intoxications still have to be expected. In motor vehicles the exhaust gases from the engine and a stationary heating are the major sources of intoxication. In closed campers and caravans the operation of gas and spirit cooking stoves etc. may also lead to an accumulation of carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion.

Numerous phylogenetic studies look for speciation without ecological radiation (PNC = phylogenetic niche conservatism). However, they ask only rarely for the role of the habitats for niche constancy. Starting from the hypothesis of DAVIS (1951) and SNOGERUP (1971) that the rock environment is 1) an evolutionary trap, conserving many old lineages (phylogenetic relicts) and that 2) it serves as a refugium under climate change, the rock vegetation is analysed for relic-tic species and niche conservatism. Three case studies, based upon phytosociological data sets from subtropical Africa, the Mediterranean area and the Eastern Alps are analysed. Molecular phylogenetic trees from selected taxa indicate the time of the splitting of lineages and the dura-tion of niche constancy. The comparison of succulent communities on rocks in SW-Arabia (class Kleinio-Carallumetea) and on the Canary Islands (Kleinio-Euphorbietea) shows numerous vicarious taxa (synvicariism). The phylogenetic tree of Campylanthus allows assuming the origin of this vicariance pattern in a geo-graphical separation of the ancestors in Mid Tertiary. The aridisation of Northern Africa about 6 Mya ago resulted in this high distance disjunction between Macaronesia and the Eritreo-Arabian region. The separated taxa underwent allopatric speciation, without ecological radiation. They remained in their niches. The vegetation of halve-caves with soaking water (class Adiantetea capilli-veneris) in the Mediterra-nean area and adjacent subtropics shelters local endemics, forming a mosaic of vicarious species. They belong to the genus Pinguicula in the NW-Mediterranean, to Hypericum (section Adenosepalum) in the SW-Mediterranean, and to Primula subgenus Sphondylia on the Arabian Peninsula and its surroundings. These vicariance patterns date back to the Late Tertiary and the climatic conditions in the Quaternary. The constant water supply - quite independent from the macroclimatic condi-tions - and the stenothermic rock surface favour in-situ resilience and make the Adiantetea to outstanding refugia for phylogenetic and geographical relicts. The example of the Caricetum firmae demonstrates relict phenomena, dating back to the last ice age. The rock fissures and calciphilous, alpine rock turfs of the massifs fringing the Eastern Alps shelter endemic cushion plants from genera such as Potentilla, Primula, Androsace, and Gentiana. These taxa of low dispersal capacity are still located in their glacial refugia. The actual species combination of rock communities mirrors historical events. The floristic and spatial patterns are influenced by former climatic conditions, by evolutionary processes and by dispersal limitations. Because of the high variety of micro-habitats, rocks offer refugia and shelter relicts. It is a habitat of outstanding niche conservatism, resulting in patterns of vicarious species and parallel evolution. Erforschung und Erhaltung der Phytodiversität: Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag für Prof. Dr. Dietmar Brandes, p. 281

The climate crisis and its consequences represent the greatest challenge facing human health and health care system in the 21st century. It threatens to undermine the last decades of health gains. Rising temperatures, fires, floods and droughts can directly and indirectly cause human pathologies, that are physical and mental. Extreme weather events lead to loss of life, basic life resources and cause severe mental burden. More intense and frequent heat waves due to global warming impact human health and increase mortality, especially for those most vulnerable. The heat-related health risk depends on individual state of health as well as environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of residential areas. Increasing exposure to air pollutants, due to wildfires and anthropogenic emissions, raises respiratory and cardiovascular mortality. Climate warming changes ecosystems and enhances biological invasions that can better adapt to warm environments. Pathogen profiles are changing, transmission and spread of vector-borne diseases as Malaria or Dengue are increasing. Further, rising temperatures and air pollution increase the production and allergenicity of pollen, associated with higher prevalence of allergic diseases. Protective environmental factors, as biodiversity or diverse microbiome, should be given greater consideration in future research.Health sector has the central responsibility as the fifth-largest greenhouse gas emitter to transform in a climate-neutral and sustainable way, e. g. by efficient use of resources. Further education and training in this area should be intensified and included in curricula for medical staff. Furthermore, medical professionals must educate patients about the burden of climate change, climate resilience, and the benefits of CO2 reduction - for human but also for planetary health.

The City of Dresden has no data on the perception of climate change and the associated increase in the average temperature during summer times yet. The data are needed to develop targeted action for vulnerable groups.To close this gap, a representative survey of the population was carried out in Dresden in 2017. Two urban districts, which differ from one another both in terms of urban planning and social structure, were compared, in particular, regarding the question of whether there was a fair distribution or procedural justice concerning the effects of subjective heat burden and influencing factors.The results showed that especially inhabitants of the urban area with predominantly prefabricated buildings, less green space and an increased proportion of socially disadvantaged felt more exposed to the summer heat and had fewer opportunities to adapt to the high temperature.In addition to urban development measures, the results can be used to derive measures for the prevention of heat-related illnesses. These require, for example, increased advice and health education locally to reach people.

The German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS, 2008) identified 'human health' as an important sector with a need for adaptation. In line with the DAS, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and the Robert Koch Institute jointly elaborated guidelines for decision makers and stakeholders. Building on these, in 2013/2014, UBA has conducted a nationwide survey, collecting data on completed, ongoing and planned adaptation measures. UBA also analysed 32 adaptation strategies of the Federal States. Selected best practice examples of potential health-related prevention and adaptation measures concerning heat stress, UV radiation exposure and the spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia are presented in this article. The data collection with more than 330 activities can be found on the website of the German National Environment and Health Action Plan (APUG; www.apug.de , in German only). In the course of this project, the APUG website was also significantly extended with comprehensive information and overviews on health risks of climate change, hence creating a central platform for this particular topic.

Vibrio is a genus of bacteria present in surface and coastal waters as well as in marine organisms worldwide. In many countries, pathogenic Vibrio species are a main cause of bacterial diarrhea, which may result from comsumption of contaminated seafood and fish products or from drinking contaminated water. Vibrio infections may also gain in importance in our regions due to global warming and the increase in the world trade of seafood. The research network "VibrioNet" studies pathogenic Vibrios in the marine environment and in seafood consumed by humans as a potential, new emerging zoonotic agent. An assessment of the risk arising from pathogenic non-cholera-vibrios in central Europe is the target of a multidisciplinary research effort. The research network will be strengthened by cooperations with international partners from countries in which Vibrio infections play a major role (Bangladesh, Chile, India, Thailand, and Vietnam).

Allergenic pollen are natural, biological airborne particles and the main cause of allergic respiratory diseases. The measurement of allergenic pollen is a required measure in preventive healthcare and indicates changes in the pollen spectrum as to be expected in the context of climate change.The only nationwide pollen measuring network in Germany is operated by the Foundation German Pollen Information Service, however, its continuity and further development (a hybrid system with manual and automated pollen traps) are not financially guaranteed. In the summer of 2017, the interdisciplinary working group "National Pollen Monitoring" was formed to exchange corresponding perspectives for Germany.Between November 2017 and June 2018, the working group met for three days of discussions, each with a different topic. The internal protocols for each meeting served as a basis for the position paper, which the working group used to complete their work.Due to the impact of allergenic pollen on human health and the significance of allergic diseases for the health service, the working group is in favour of the nationwide pollen monitoring being included in the catalogue of government responsibilities, which secure the basic supply of essential goods and public services of general interest.Regarding any possible assigned responsibilities within the governmental framework, different options were discussed. Independent from future responsibilities, co-operation between metrological, medical and scientific facilities is essential for adequate preventive healthcare.

The number of heatwaves is going to increase due to climate change and will pose a high health risk especially for elderly people. Additional risk factors like immobility, the need for care, chronic and acute diseases (worsening of symptoms), and the intake of medications lead to an increased sensitivity to heat in this particular age group. Nursing staff and medical assistants working in general practices are two important professions to reach the risk group during heatwaves and provide preventive and curative care.The "Klinikum der Universität München" has developed an interprofessional blended-learning program to sensitize for this topic and to enable those two professional groups to react adequately to heat events. It combines independent learning with the help of online videos and presentations and a face-to-face component for the practical application of knowledge through examples. The concept, the results, as well as the conclusion of the project, which completed in October 2018, are presented in this article.Educational programs are part of the adaption strategies to heat events. The "Recommendations for the creation of Heat Action Plans for the Protection of Human Health" state that advanced trainings and education of healthcare and social workers help to communicate relevant content to adequately act during heat periods. The developed educational program fulfills this demand.To enable the widest possible use, the training materials are available free of charge and can be downloaded from www.klimawandelundbildung.de .

Sunlight is indispensable for life. Skin aging is determined not only by genetic factors but also by the influence of solar radiation which in all its spectral regions induces free radicals in the human skin. Below a critical concentration, free radicals are important for signaling processes in the human body. Exceeding a critical threshold value (FRTV), however, free radicals lead to cellular damage which, in turn, can induce skin aging, immunosuppression and even skin cancer. Recently it could be shown that 50% of the free radicals induced in the human skin by solar radiation were caused by the visible and infrared spectral regions. Taking into consideration that people who use sunscreen stay considerably longer in the sun than unprotected people, their skin could be exposed to free radical formation in the visible and infrared spectral regions, which far exceeds the critical threshold. Filter substances like those used in sunscreens for skin protection in the ultraviolet region are not available for the visible and infrared spectral regions. Using the natural protection mechanisms of the human skin as examples, however, the protective effect of sunscreens can be considerably enhanced by the addition of scattering and reflective pigments, such as titanium dioxide, as well as of antioxidants which neutralize the free radicals. Currently the focus of sunscreen development is shifting from mere UV protection to protection covering the entire solar spectrum.