For the first time, the municipality of Kirchham awarded an environmental prize worth 1,500 euros to promote environmentally conscious thinking and acting in the village community. At the beginning of the award ceremony in Kirchham’s multi-purpose hall, more than 200 visitors were impressed by the lecture by the well-known meteorologist Alexander Ohms, who painted a gloomy but very realistic picture of climate change. The inevitable and rapid global warming (plus four to five degrees in 100 years) and the extreme changes in precipitation intensity will have serious effects in our region. Therefore, Ohms appeals to take protective measures, but also adaptations to climate change. Despite all the negative forecasts, he is optimistic, says Ohms, “because activities like here in Kirchham are very helpful in solving problems, so that everyone realizes that everyone can make a contribution”.
There were a total of 18 different submissions, which made it difficult for the jury to award the three main prizes. In the “Private individuals” category, the Julia Tillmann/Martin Hinterndorfer family received an award for their project “Live sustainably – make your personal lifestyle more ecological”. From ecological house building to nutrition and mobility, the Tillmann-Hinterdorfer family acts sustainably in all areas of life.
“Change begins with me” – this has been the motto of the primary school in Kirchham for many years, which won the prize in the “Associations/Institutions” category. Director Karin Schwarzlmüller and her school community have initiated and implemented numerous environmental protection initiatives over the past twelve years, encouraging many parents and adults to change their lifestyles.
The range of measures by the company SFK-Manufaktur, which received the main prize in the “Companies” category, ranges from sustainable Christmas presents to energy self-sufficiency and free e-bikes for employees. For owner Gerhard Spitzbart and his 30-strong workforce, innovative sustainability is an elementary part of successful corporate development.
Finally, a special prize was awarded to the local heating cooperative Kirchham, which has been contesting the so-called “Kirchhamer Holzweg” for 25 years. The cooperative processes 6,000 cubic meters of wood chips annually, which are supplied by 36 regional farmers and foresters. A total of 110 customers, including all public buildings and numerous companies, are supplied with heat and thus save more than 500,000 liters of heating oil per year.
Source: Nachrichten
