Almost 50 kilometers and around 200,000 inhabitants separate Linz and Freistadt. But there is also the connection in the form of a railway line and the motorway, which commutes in both directions.
No matter how small or big the cities are, everyone has a great responsibility when it comes to environmental and climate protection. Pollutants don’t care about national borders. Global challenges can only be mastered together.
Linz and Freistadt want to do that. You are involved in the EU project “Climate Campaigners”. A total of 13 cities – including Milan, Lahti and Izmir – and 20 million citizens should live climate protection. Awareness raising is the buzzword, the climate app is the “digital vehicle” to quickly see how your own ecological footprint is doing. If you see how much carbon dioxide you save by walking instead of driving, then climate protection becomes understandable, says Linz Mayor Klaus Luger (SP).
Easy access, playful effect
The approach is playful, which, similar to the fitness area (keyword “step counter”), can create a competitive situation from the comparison with others, which is motivating at best. For oneself as for others. City Councilor Eva Schobesberger speaks of a “joyful and enjoyable approach” to the serious issue of climate protection. This summer has shown that “we live in the midst of climate change”.
In the climate app, which is deliberately kept simple, you can constantly test your ecological footprint based on various topics (mobility, energy, nutrition, consumption). “That can motivate ecological behavior,” Freistadt’s Environment Councilor Harald Schuh (FP) is convinced.
Even if the app will increasingly appeal to younger people, people in Linz and Freistadt are hoping that older students will jump on the bandwagon and compete with themselves and others. Incidentally, the EU project is scientifically monitored.
The goal is 100,000 users
Pupils at the Leonardo da Vinci School in Linz did not allow themselves to be stopped in their commitment to climate change despite the rain on Monday morning. With colleagues from urban climatology, the young people spray-painted their names with chalk on the main square right next to the Linz lettering. In doing so, they drew attention to the “Climate Campaigners” campaign. Project supervisor Anna Sonnleitner expects more such actions in the future. Just as she assumes that Linz, Freistadt and the other eleven cities will not remain alone for long. Because the goal of the climate app is 100,000 users who keep a watchful eye on their ecological footprint.
Further information: www.climate-campaigners.com
Source: Nachrichten
