Workshop “Climate adaptation in Kempten”

Workshop “Climate adaptation in Kempten” - The future in the hands of young people

On 22 November 2024, the Mountain River Research Group of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich took part in the workshop Climate Adaptation in Kempten. The event was held at the Hildegardis-Gymnasium and was part of the AdaptNow project, co-financed by the Interreg Alpine Space Initiative.

The workshop brought together committed experts, local stakeholders, and young people to discuss and present concrete measures and strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change. A particular highlight was the presentation of projects by the so-called climate ambassadors of the Hildegardis-Gymnasium—students from Year 8 and above who not only talk about climate protection but actively implement it in their everyday lives.

 Impressive Projects

The climate ambassadors demonstrated impressively how local initiatives can have a significant impact. The projects presented included:

Climate dinner: Promoting sustainability through self-cooked vegetarian meals that impressed fellow students and guests.

Litter collection campaigns: Commitment to a clean and liveable environment.

Clearing of moorland shrubs: A hands-on contribution to preserving these vital ecosystems.

Sustainable snack packaging: Initiatives to reduce single-use plastic in daily school life.

Reusable bottle systems instead of plastic drink cartons: A conscious decision to conserve resources and reduce waste.

These projects clearly show that climate protection begins locally--in the classroom, on the school grounds, and in the community. The students' creative yet pragmatic approaches highlight the effectiveness of local engagement.

A Day of Collaboration and Exchange

In addition to the student projects, the workshop offered a valuable opportunity for the research group to collaborate with other on-site experts, including Bernhard Simon, Head of the Kempten Water Management Office, as well as Dr Hans-Jörg Barth and Dr Petra Hausmann from the Energy and Environmental Centre Allgäu. Together, the experts supported the climate ambassadors and their teachers, answered questions, and took part in a final panel discussion on setting climate adaptation priorities for Kempten.

Inspiration for the Future

The children and young people at Hildegardis-Gymnasium powerfully demonstrate how climate protection can be put into practice: locally, effectively, and with great commitment. Their projects serve not only as inspiration for their fellow students but also as a call to society to take responsibility and act with practical solutions. In a time when climate conferences are often marked by grand but non-binding declarations, the micro-projects implemented by these students are all the more inspiring. This kind of commitment shows that change can start right on our doorstep. A heartfelt thank you goes to Hildegardis-Gymnasium and its climate ambassadors for their dedication.

Further links: Website ADAPTNOW 

^{Fig.: Demonstration of the natural hazard model at Hildegardis-Gymnasium}

^{Pictures: Petra Hausmann}