Hamburg---Green Capital

   Hamburg is the European Green Capital 2011. The title well deserved as most of us realized while staying in Hamburg. The streets of Hamburg appear to be very clean and that is not only due to the well organized trash disposal system but also due to contribution and willingness to be ecologically friendly of the citizens of Hamburg. As we heard during the presentation there has been a lot of work done to achieve this highly valued status. However, Hamburg will not stop on what they have achieved already, this trend will continue improving the ecological standard of the city and make it more attractive to live in. 

     One can always find a bicycle to be rented out and the system of rent and return is sophisticated enough not to create jams or unnecessary and unpleasant moments waiting. Hamburg also pays close attention to its environmental programs. For the years to come there is a well planned and organized system to reduce Carbon Dioxide pollution into the atmosphere by 80% until 2050 which will be rather challenging. But where would humanity be if we did not set ambitious goals and pursuit them.

     Another interesting idea created by the organization in Hamburg was the "Train of Ideas". We found it very creative to compress the most important ideas and achievements of the city and try to share them with their European neighbors. Frankly Veniamin and I would like to visit this "Train of Ideas" when it will be passing Zurich in May. After all it is important to challenge oneself but after achieving certain goals share your progress with other, so that the environmental health of the planet will no longer be an issue.

by Veniamin and Emil