Students:Martin Pirkl: Difference between revisions

I liked nearly every part of our trip. However, what I enjoyed and what I appreciate the most is the visit to the landfill in Neu Wulmstorf. Our guide in that complex, Tilmann Wolfsteller, was very sympathetic and willing to explain and showed us everything what we wanted to. I was pleased to see how everything can work if there is the professionality and will to do so. One of the common landfills in the 80´s was sealed with several layers of different composition so that the leakage of waste water into the underground of the landfill could be limited to a minimum. The rainwater which soaks the soil also cannot penetrate into the landfill. The experts also took into consideration natural processes when bacteria decompose the organic waste. The outcome of this process is actually gas, which can be and in the case of Neu Wulmstorf really is drained through pipes and subsequently burned. Photovoltaic panels and wind mills are also components of this site and ensure that the compound is completely energy independent. I think that this idea, which came out of an initial public survey was the best one (there were also proposals like creating a pound for fishing or a playground for children). There is also a need to stress the fact that this project is provided by a public-private company. This proves the bottom-up approach to sustainability movements in Germany.  

There are definitely prevailing positives over the negatives when it comes to summary of aspects of the trip. I´ve tried to find out something which was not so good and it was really hard. I appreciate enthusiasm of all participants, especially our leaders. Their endeavour accompanied by efforts of all lecturers, guides and coordinators resulted in very enriching and inspiring trip. Therefore I would not like to criticize any point of the agenda. Yet one thing, which comes to my mind is non-fuctional air conditioning in our minibus. That was really pain in the ... :) Maybe one more thing, which crosses my mind is that I would prefer to work in smaller groups of people and have possibility to talk with lecturers within this groups, because I am little bit shy when it comes to talk before more people. I mean the Monday session, when we worked on the project was good and so the Friday lessons with PhD students.