Merian Blue Port, Hamburg. Photo by Christian Spahrbier.
From September 23rd to the 30th, Hamburg, Germany played host to hundreds of thousands of visitors who attended the 3rd Climate Week festivities. More than 120 stakeholders from politics, science, business and culture came together for talks, exhibitions, screenings and concerts related to environmental concerns at Europe’s biggest climate event.
The Hamburg metropolitan area has become an international hotspot for climate research and renewable energy. Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin, Hamburg is a transport crossroads, home to 4.3 million people and host to at least 500 industrial firms. With its pristine green parks, numerous media and cultural venues, the River Elbe, Alster Valley, canals, bridges and channels, Hamburg’s high quality of life draws new residents, economic interests and international tourists alike.
Kicked off by the Hamburg Climate Night, world renowned scientists presented new research to attendants. Throughout the week, visitors and participants experienced lectures, films and exhibits on multiple climate related topics, and enjoyed the attractions of an interactive theme park as well as the unique “Circular Pavilion”, situated beside the “Europa-Passage” event location.
Hamburg Solar Catamaran – pretty cool! Photo by Christian Spahrbier.
Among partner organizations that participated in Climate-Week were the United Nation’s Environmental Program (UNEP) and Deutsche Bahn, the Germany national railway company. Organizer Frank Schweikert said, “In a unique way, Hamburg is bringing climate researchers, politicians, economists and financial experts together to jointly develop solutions for the impact of climate change…At the same time we would like to communicate the challenges that evolve from global climate change and raise awareness among a larger audience.”
Hamburg’s climate protection scheme is a large part of why the waterfront metropolis earned the title “European Green Capital 2011.” As a growing port and industrial hub, Hamburg has managed to cut CO2 emissions by 15 percent since 1990, with anticipated reductions of 40 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050. .
Manufacturers such as Siemens, Repower Systems, Nordex, PowerWind and Vestas have their head offices or sales units in Hamburg, which is leading the list of “green” cities in terms of patent applications for renewable energy.
Among the highlights of the week-long events was the “Train of Ideas,” which just completed a five-month long, 11,185-mile tour through 18 European cities in 13 countries. Carrying its mobile exhibition “Visions for Future Cities,” the train presented more than 100 projects in the field of sustainable urban living. The exhibition on wheels showcased ecological projects from different areas such as Urban Development and Living, Mobility, Nature & City Greenery, and Sustainable Consumerism.
Ideas from other European cities were invited and showcased alongside examples from Hamburg. Visitors to the exhibition not only discovered Hamburg’s visions for the future, but also contributed their own ideas. The concept of the interconnectedness and common concerns shared by Europe’s cities focused on shared solutions with regard to energy, sustainability and climate protection.
”This is what it’s all about”, Serge de Gheldere said. “Cities learn from each other, exchange ideas. Hamburg and Antwerp are pioneers of a new green development. Other European cities like Stockholm, the European Green Capital of 2010, as well. This exchange could be the starting point of a green identity of European cities, a common identity that distinguishes European cities from, let’s say, American cities.” Serge de Gheldere is one of six “Global Warming Presenters” personally trained by Al Gore.
Press spokesman Rainer Müller kept the public apprised of the train’s progress and impact. He wrote: “… it’s not about competing on titles as “European Green Capital” or on which city came first with this or that idea, but it’s about learning and about adopting to find suitable solutions for each city.”
The 2012 Green Capital winner is northern Spain’s gem: Vitoria-Gasteiz. Founded in 1181, it is the capital of the Álava province and of the Basque Country.
