Spreading the word
In 2023, I joined the newly set up network of sustainability ambassadors at Generali Germany. It provided me with the opportunity to take my personal conviction for sustainability into my professional life. As I have been doing in my private life, I am now raising awareness for sustainability throughout the company. I presented in meetings with colleagues and management, and I supported Generali’s sustainability communication on the intranet.
Becoming a Generali Germany Sustainability Ambassador in 2023 has been the latest step in a journey of transformation towards a more sustainable lifestyle which I have been on for nearly a decade. How did I get there?
Transforming my personal life
With effects of climate change becoming more visible in the 2010s and Germany being hit by increasingly severe heat waves, unseen drought and floods, I felt compelled to act and reduce my CO2 footprint and resource usage.
If anyone is looking for ideas, these are some of the things I tried: On a personal level, I started using secondhand clothes, attending local clothes swapping events and using secondhand shops. Over time, I extended this – to buying furniture, kitchen equipment etc. Organic food is part of our regular diet. My family reduced down to one car, and we have been cycling or using the train whenever we can. We have been avoiding flights for many years as well.
Impacting my community
As I extended my knowledge on sustainability, I started to spot more opportunities for changes around me. In my neighbourhood, there were large areas of lawn which the council kept “tidy” by regularly mowing it short. I contacted the local council and politicians – as a result, mowing was reduced down to two times per year. The lawns have turned into beautiful wild meadows, which provide food and shelter for insects and birds. You can see some of the wildflowers in the pictures.
In an effort to “put my money where my mouth is”, I became a member of a newly set up organic farming community in the neighbouring village. Vegetables are grown locally and seasonally without any energy for greenhouse heating. The produce is shared between members, and children and adults can learn about the origins of their food and how to farm in a sustainable way.
Spreading the word
While the changes in my life are effective and enjoyable, I realized that their impact was limited. That’s why I started to raise awareness for a sustainable lifestyle using my personal social media accounts and discussing the changes with my family and friends. People have started to reconsider their own lifestyle as a consequence, and I firmly believe that we can inspire change if we talk about it and find a personal connection. This is why I am happy to be part of the Generali Germany Sustainability Ambassadors for 2024 to cheer colleagues on in their personal and corporate journey towards more sustainability.
Pictures below: me giving an interview for the Generali intranet and working at the farm project; wild flowers from the renatured meadows
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Spreading the word
Changing my life towards sustainability – and spreading the word!
In 2023, I joined the newly set up network of sustainability ambassadors at Generali Germany. It provided me with the opportunity to take my personal conviction for sustainability into my professional life. As I have been doing in my private life, I am now raising awareness for sustainability throughout the company. I presented in meetings with colleagues and management, and I supported Generali’s sustainability communication on the intranet.
Becoming a Generali Germany Sustainability Ambassador in 2023 has been the latest step in a journey of transformation towards a more sustainable lifestyle which I have been on for nearly a decade. How did I get there?
Transforming my personal life
With effects of climate change becoming more visible in the 2010s and Germany being hit by increasingly severe heat waves, unseen drought and floods, I felt compelled to act and reduce my CO2 footprint and resource usage.
If anyone is looking for ideas, these are some of the things I tried: On a personal level, I started using secondhand clothes, attending local clothes swapping events and using secondhand shops. Over time, I extended this – to buying furniture, kitchen equipment etc. Organic food is part of our regular diet. My family reduced down to one car, and we have been cycling or using the train whenever we can. We have been avoiding flights for many years as well.
Impacting my community
As I extended my knowledge on sustainability, I started to spot more opportunities for changes around me. In my neighbourhood, there were large areas of lawn which the council kept “tidy” by regularly mowing it short. I contacted the local council and politicians – as a result, mowing was reduced down to two times per year. The lawns have turned into beautiful wild meadows, which provide food and shelter for insects and birds. You can see some of the wildflowers in the pictures.
In an effort to “put my money where my mouth is”, I became a member of a newly set up organic farming community in the neighbouring village. Vegetables are grown locally and seasonally without any energy for greenhouse heating. The produce is shared between members, and children and adults can learn about the origins of their food and how to farm in a sustainable way.
Spreading the word
While the changes in my life are effective and enjoyable, I realized that their impact was limited. That’s why I started to raise awareness for a sustainable lifestyle using my personal social media accounts and discussing the changes with my family and friends. People have started to reconsider their own lifestyle as a consequence, and I firmly believe that we can inspire change if we talk about it and find a personal connection. This is why I am happy to be part of the Generali Germany Sustainability Ambassadors for 2024 to cheer colleagues on in their personal and corporate journey towards more sustainability.
Pictures below: me giving an interview for the Generali intranet and working at the farm project; wild flowers from the renatured meadows