The focus is on climate change: Young people shape Europe's green future in Gersheim!

Im Saarpfalz-Kreis fand eine europäische Verständigungswoche zum Klimawandel mit Teilnehmern aus Deutschland, Polen und Frankreich statt.
In the Saarpfalz district there was a European communication week on climate change with participants from Germany, Poland and France. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

The focus is on climate change: Young people shape Europe's green future in Gersheim!

The Bliestalgemeinde Gersheim served as a center of European understanding in the first week of 2025. As part of the European week, 39 pupils and five educators from Poland, France and Germany met to deal with the pressing topic of climate change. The event was financially supported by the special fund Triyou of the Franco-German youth work.

The motto of the week was: "Challenge climate change: energy transition - a solution approach in the Weimar triangle" . An educational project to promote political cooperation between Germany, France and Poland should be created. The participants worked in mixed groups on essential topics such as energy sources, consumption habits and the environmental consequences of human action.

interactive workshops and discussions

The discussions included the advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources, including nuclear power, wind energy, solar power, hydropower and fossil fuels. In addition, national energy policies were reflected and common problems such as import addiction and the expansion of renewable energies were discussed. A workshop entitled "Welten Savior" served the development of visions for a climate -neutral, sustainable and solidarity.

The real hurdles for the implementation of these visions were also addressed. A panel discussion with the Saarland member of the state parliament Pascal Conigliaro and Julien Simmons from the Europa-Union Saar gave young people the opportunity to confront political actors directly with questions and critical comments.

A special highlight was the trip to Strasbourg, where the participants visited the European Parliament and were circulated by the picturesque "La Petite France". These experiences strengthened awareness of the connection between local lifestyles and European politics. Interpersonal activities, such as language animations and games, also promoted new friendships.

The week in Gersheim was not only described as successful, but also as a model for political education. She culminated in the participation in the ceremony "20 Years of Spohn's house".

climate protection in the European context

The EU is increasingly facing the challenges of climate change. In this context, the initiative of the "Green Weimar triangle", which was launched by the external ministers of Germany, France and Poland, has gained importance. The aim of this trilateral cooperation is to establish climate protection as a high priority for the EU, such as germanwatch

The Weimar triangle has the potential to accelerate decarbonization and to promote European initiatives for climate -neutral innovations. Germany, Poland and France emit almost half of the EU greenhouse gas emissions. The pressure on these states to shape ambitious climate policy grows.

The development and adoption of strategies such as the EU Climate Protection Act and the "Fit for 55" climate packing underline the need for clear specifications to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These initiatives are part of the overarching goal of the EU to achieve net-null greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, such as DetailsQuellen