一个德国家庭走向环保

CCTV’s Guy Henderson traveled to the city of Freiburg in Germany to ask an environmentalist who is on a mission how average citizens can make a difference in combating climate change.

The Fellmer family’s breakfast is past its sell-by date. A change of diet, Raphael Fellmer believes, is something we can all do to help save the planet.

"When you really understand how destructive our diet is to our surroundings, and to future generations, it’s a really easy step. And you can start with one day in the week, one meal per day, to leave meat out or leave out dairy products," said.

Clothing is another easy one. Wear less, Raphael advises, and buy second hand. He also recommends sharing resources for things like the school run.

"I think it’s very important to use what we have rather than just buying a new washing machine, computer, car because it’s green or cool or whatever," Raphael said.

Raphael runs a foodsharing initiative that now operates in three countries. A market stall in Freiburg is happy to oblige. You do not see cars in what happens to be, famously, one of Germany’s greenest cities. Even the buildings are eco-designed.

"We want to make Freiburg carbon neutral by 2050. This is ambitious, and to do it we need to do it on an inter-disciplinary level and with all groups in society," said Susanne Wienecke, Freiburg City Council.

It is living proof that starting small can work.

World leaders are under pressure to implement change from the top down. But Raphael, and the cyclists of Freiburg, are asking: Why wait for them? Why not build momentum from the bottom instead, regardless of whether politicians can agree or not?

By working with what they can control, the Fellmers and Freiburg have something in common.