Citizen stories

"Since 2021, we’ve met weekly in Berlin for cleanups.

With Litterpicker – Kehr deinen Kiez, we’ve led over 200 actions on sidewalks, tree pits, playgrounds, and in public spaces. Every month, we partner with schools, civil society, local authorities, and businesses. At World Cleanup Day, more than 200 people joined.

A child once asked: “Are we even allowed to clean up here?” I said: “We’re not just allowed—we’re part of it.” An elderly woman cried, saying she’d thought young people didn’t care. But she saw us—diverse, joyful, connected. We don’t just collect trash—we talk to people, raise awareness, and show that civic engagement can be fun.

Over the years, we’ve met inspiring people from public services and companies, which changed our view and strengthened our wish to work together. Because a healthy environment is the ground we all stand on.

Our motto: Do instead of complain. Together instead of against. Explain instead of judge."

Image © Heinrich Julius Scholda, ZeroWaste PIX /EEA

Image © Solvita Bataraga, WaterPIX /EEA

"Respecting and loving nature is in my DNA. It’s been a massive part of my life, I look back at the walks in the forests, mountains, on coastal paths and beaches which have been a privilege to have experienced. Decades of scuba diving in all seasons has also allowed me to witness the beauty and diversity of life above and below the waves.

When I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer in 2021, I knew I had a great team at the hospital and a wonderful loving family supporting me at home. But I knew, also, that if I had any chance of reaching remission, I would need nature more than ever before in my life.

It was my love for nature and walks that would give me strength physically & mentally. I kept walking every day throughout cancer treatment in all weather, disposing of plastic, fishing line and rubbish found along the shoreline and untangled the wings and feet of many seabirds from fishing line.

I continue cleaning the shoreline today, in remission. We can all do so much more for keeping nature clean and safe, after all it’s our home."

"In 2021, the news in Spain showed a series of environmental and humanitarian disasters, and then quickly moved on to other topics. But I felt an anxiety that I didn't know how to handle!

That's when I started my research and discovered that I had eco-anxiety. There was little content online about it in English and nothing in Spanish: that's when I decided to create the community 'Ecoansiedad'. 

Through social media I created a community in which I explained the basic concepts of eco-anxiety and how to deal with it on a daily basis. This community then developed into a meeting point for people with eco-anxiety and expert psychologists who could treat them.

From this experience, I take with me the community I have created, all that I have learned and that I have done my bit to combat misinformation and help people.

I am very happy to have used my eco-anxiety as a way to make a difference!​"

Image © Tomislav Rastić, Urban Treasures /EEA

Image © Nicole Jewell, My City /EEA

"Pedalling and pedalling, every day with consistency. After starting to commute to work by bike, I couldn't stop it. People might assume I’m a cycle tourist because of the large bags I carry on my bike, but it's only 16 km to get to work with a computer and a change of clothes.

Every day offers a different experience: an unexpected reflection on the river, a scared hare that precedes you, the woodpecker that accompanies my pedaling.

Unfortunately, in some sections, you can still hear cars zooming by too close, but my high-visibility clothing, the bike lights and the helmet provide safety.

My company decided to entrust me with the role of mobility manager and I am committed to make a small revolution (note that for 92% of colleagues, the car remains the main means of transport).

Despite the headwind, I accepted the challenge and continue to pedal for a cleaner environment.​"

"How can we easily inform citizens about climate change?​

I found a way to do it by covering an urban bus in Kalamata city with “climate stripes”, a graphic design created by Professor Ed Hawkins from the University of Reading.

Those stripes highlight the average global temperature change over time, from 1860 to 2024. The stripes are a powerful way to visualize the long-term trend of global warming caused by human activity.

The bus was chosen as it is a means of transportation that moves within the city, it is seen by many people, so the message it conveys could be spread to more and more people and be immediately and easily understood by citizens.​

The “climate stripes bus”, from 5/6/2025 is crossing the city of Kalamata daily, making the message visible to the public, strengthening awareness and encouraging discussion about climate change.​"

Image © Alvise Busetto, My City /EEA

Image © Javier Arcenillas, Well with Nature /EEA

"As an EFL teacher and European Climate Pact Ambassador, I guided my K–8 students in Ceuta through a powerful climate action project for the EEA’s “Our Environment: Our Future” campaign.

Inspired by a fictional character they created, Leo — a curious boy who asks bold questions — they used Minecraft to design real-world solutions: an ecological mussel and oyster farm to purify our coastal waters, and two innovative devices to tackle the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryxokamurae. One machine collects the algae sustainably; the other is a solar-powered research vessel that investigates its impact.

Through play, inquiry, and digital storytelling, my students became solutionaries. Leo became their collective voice — their way of saying, “We care, and we can act.”

This project blended environmental science, language learning, systems thinking, and empathy. And it reminded us all that the future belongs to those who dare to imagine it better.​"

"Three years ago, I realized the scale of the ecological disaster.

At first, it meant despair: mourning forests, birds, and the joy already lost — and fearing a future where beauty, safety, and hope would become rare for our children. Yet this awareness gave me courage. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into action. ​

With SOS Faim, I helped bring the AlimenTerre Festival to Luxembourg: films, discussions, and sustainable tastings that inspire new choices. This year, more than thirty companies, schools, universities, and municipalities are taking part — a collective success that grows every day.

But beyond these visible actions, this path led me to discover my inner ecology: facing fears, welcoming emotions, and reconnecting with joy, trust, and serenity.

I believe lasting change begins within. Yoga, meditation, walking in the forest, or journaling may be small gestures, yet they might be the most essential ecological acts — because the first nature we must respect is ourselves.​"

Image © Orhan Kartal, Well with Nature /EEA

Image © Levent Ateş, ZeroWaste PIX /EEA

"I used to fly a lot. It's so convenient, and exciting too! Airports are glamorous modern places with great amenities. But then I found out what flying means to our planet and the future of our livelihood.

One flight from Basel to Berlin emits 167 kg CO₂. If I wanted to spend the same amount by taking the train, I could travel over 5000 km, that's like going from Berlin to İstanbul and back!​

And that's what we did. We took a night train from Berlin to Budapest, then another one to Bucharest, and then continued by bus to İstanbul. It was the most memorable and amazing journey.

Despite some disadvantages like complicated booking, less-than-clean train stations and longer travel times, you get a sense of the distances, you see Europe's beautiful landscapes pass by the window, and you can stop along the way in breathtaking cities. Best way to travel!​"