Sustainability in Berlin

Take an overnight flight to Berlin. Your guide will meet you at the airport and from there you will take a bus to the hotel where you will be able to begin taking in the sights of Berlin. After lunch in Mauerpark, you will visit the German Historical Museum.

 This morning you will take a guided tour of Berlin where you will explore and learn the history of the infamous Berlin Wall. This divided the city in many ways not just economically, but also ideologically. There are many memorials close by that we will be able to visit. After lunch in Mauerpark, we will visit the German Historical Museum.

You think you know how to recycle? Germany is a world leader in recycling — 62 percent of its waste becomes new products or fuel. Learn about their system of colored bins in their public spaces. Afterwards, you will watch just how they take an old rubber tire and turn into something new.

The United States has had carpooling for awhile, but the majority of Americans still own vehicles — plural. Germans, on the other hand, are forfeiting ownership and instead are using carpooling websites and apps like carpooling.com. Bikes are actually outselling cars!

Today, you will see how Germans have created efficient travel via carpooling, car-sharing and biking to get to each destination. Try these different methods to get to the library, university, gym, grocery store and back to the hotel.

 Around 40 percent  of all energy in Germany is produced from renewable sources. In the United States, it’s around 15 percent, so we have a ways to go yet. Explore one of Germany’s wind parks and solar plants. See firsthand how Germany has used the wind and sun to power just about everything in their country. What can the United States learn from them?

 Do you know makes an urban farm unique? Find out on your tour of one in Berlin. Learn about what it takes to grow certain vegetables. For lunch, you will make a meal using the fresh ingredients you’ve raised! In the afternoon, the group will have a chance to visit Spreefeld cooperative housing. This complex is extremely energy efficient using geothermal heat. Ask questions to get a feel of what it might be like to live in that type of environment.

Visit a electric car manufacture and learn why it’s more energy efficient than fuel. In the afternoon, explore the mall of Berlin before heading back to the hotel to pack.

Auf Wiedersehen Berlin. Have a safe flight!