Freiburg Has Solar Flair
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 10.13.05
Imagine a city founded, ... well, closing in on 1,000 years ago, that now has a modern population of more than 200,000. Thirty years ago they were propositioned with a nuclear power plant, but being eminently sensibly people said “ No, Thanks”. Actually, they said. “Nein, Danke” as the city is Freiburg, Germany. Turning their back on isotopes, they looked to the sun and set about becoming an "ecological capital" instead. And it would appear they are exceedingly well on track. Over 400 solar installations, including the soccer stadium, hospitals, schools, fair grounds, homes and the central station. Let’s not forget the local brewery either.
How about a solar module production plant that employs 130 people? And this is the best bit — is itself a zero emission factory, “being powered by 570 square metres of PV, and a rape seed oil-fired combined heat and power plant.” 500 km of bicycle paths and 5,000 bicycle parking spaces. In a newer suburb residents were offered cheaper house prices, if they'd opt to live without a car. Over 30% said “Ja, Bitte.” Municipal waste was reduced to almost one third of what it was 12 years earlier. And over 40% of the surrounding countryside is protected. Whoa, I have to stop there, too much good news all at once, it’s making me dizzy. Find out more for yourself at ::Freiburg Solar Region via Greenleap
Not to mention, Freiburg is an awesome smaller city. It's home to the university so there are many younger people there. They have kick-ass tram system there and they're in close proximity to die schwartzbald (black forest)which offers some incredible hiking.
If I'm not mistaken, Freiburg has been a "sustainable city" for a decade or so now. ICLEI (http://www.iclei.org) did a paper on it at least a decade ago. I remember reading about their traffic calming measures and restoration of local streams.
"but being emminently sensibly people said"
NUKULAR BAD!
Wow. Can we dispense with the knee-jerk reactions? And the creative spelling?
gsmoke, am pleased you've been up to speed on Freiburg for the past decade. Wasn't sure that all TH readers were, so thought the story worthy of telling. Not all TH posts are about some brand new, still-in-the-box, technologies. For example, while the modern bicycle is some 140 years old, we still enjoy writing about that marvel of personal transport.
Lee, thanks for spelling error tip. Appreciate the kind manner in which you appraised me of my discretion.
But can't find any "knee-jerk reactions" in the post though. Assume you mean a reaction that "conveys the idea of an all-too-hasty, impulsive, irrational response based on a preset idea."
I would've thought citizens exercising a right to choose whether they have nuclear energy, or not, sounds like a robust democratic process, which in my experience, tends to be anything but hasty. According to the story we linked to: "There was a major protest, with widespread civil disobedience, and in 1975 the plans were defeated." And 30 years on, it would seem the residents of Freiburg remain very comfortable with their choice. As I was in Europe, at the time of the Chernobyl explosion, yes, I do concur with their sentiments.