Engaging in climate activism
In the heart of Bavaria, the city of Augsburg is setting an exemplary standard for sustainable living. Here's a roundup of the city's initiatives and tips for residents to join the eco-friendly movement.
The non-profit car-sharing association, BeiAnrufAuto e.V., offers over 30 vehicles, trailers, or bike racks in Augsburg and the surrounding area. For shorter distances, it's worth leaving the cars at home and using a bike or public transport to relieve the streets, cause less noise, and save money and time. The city's car-sharing program, swa-Carsharing, offers 272 vehicles at more than 100 locations. For smaller transports, the Max und Moritz initiative rents out cargo bikes.
Train journeys within Germany are usually just as fast as airplane journeys, but have significantly lower CO2 emissions. When buying a new car, pay attention to the lowest possible CO2 emissions and check if the drive, engine power, and size of the vehicle are suitable for everyday use and appropriate for your needs. Residents can also compensate for flight CO2 emissions by paying an additional amount that supports climate protection projects and reduces their personal CO2 footprint. However, the most climate-friendly option is still not taking a plane.
Energy-saving measures are another key aspect of Augsburg's climate protection efforts. Switching all lights in an average household to energy-saving lights can reduce energy requirements for lighting by up to 90%, saving up to 200 euros in electricity costs. LED lights now cost two to three euros and have a lifespan of over 20 years with an average lighting duration of 3 hours per day, in contrast to incandescent bulbs which last about a year. Devices at home consume electricity even in standby mode, so it's better to completely turn them off.
The city's Waste Management and Street Cleaning Department motivates joint waste collection and annual spring cleaning through the 'Sauber ist in!' campaign. The Lifeguide Augsburg provides specific information on responsible shopping and sustainable services in Augsburg and surrounding areas.
Climate protection is a communal task, and residents can get involved through various consulting offers and funding opportunities like Carmax, Carvana, Man City, Solar Offensive Augsburg, Energy Caravan Augsburg, Energy Advice in cooperation with the Consumer Center, Energy Savings Checks City of Augsburg, and Funding Check co2 online.
Active involvement in climate protection can be fun through actions like the Augsburg Climate Bet and campaigns like 'Stadtradeln' or 'Sauber ist in!'. Stadtradeln, a 12-year-old campaign in Augsburg, encourages sustainable mobility, health, and good quality of life. Augsburg's climate protection activities and consulting offers were discussed with 22 participants of all age groups at the Citizen Dialogue Climate in July 2022, with Mayor Eva Weber and Environmental Officer Reiner Erben present.
For 25 years, Augsburger residents have been committed to sustainability in various topics such as climate protection, sustainable consumption, and plastic-free shopping. The city aims to continuously monitor and expand climate activities, and encourage climate-friendly behavior among all residents.
Join the movement today and contribute to a greener and healthier Augsburg!
