Earth Day 2011: American Cities and Frankfurt Go Green!

April 22, 2011

From left: Dr. Manuela Rottmann, Uwe Brandes, Thomas Dannenmann

April 22 is Earth Day, which reminds us that we all have to take care of our environment. American cities and Frankfurt are doing their part.  On April 15th, IHK Managing Director Matthias Grässle and Consul Jeanine Collins, head of the U.S. Consulate General's Press and Cultural Section, opened this year's Earth Day event on "Green Cities with a Sustainable Future: Visions and Goals Regarding Climate change, Quality of life, and Economic Development” at the IHK Frankfurt. The event is annually organized by the U.S. Consulate General, Earth Day International/German Committee and the IHK Frankfurt.  American expert Uwe Brandes from the Urban Land Institute, Washington D.C., offered a number of case studies highlighting the methods and strategies applied by American cities in securing a green sustainable future.  Dr. Manuela Rottman, head of the Frankfurt Environment and Health Department, focuesd on the city of Frankfurt in her presentation.  Thomas Dannenmann, President of Earth Day Internaitonal's German Committee, moderated a concludintg panel discussion which gave a large number of architects, city planners and environmental experts from NGOs, businesses, and city governments ample time for comments and follow-up questions.  The presentations and  discussions revealed an impressive degree of energy, creativity and commitment displayed by cities in Germany and the United States in the field of sustainable development.