Travelling by train instead of flying is particularly easy in Europe, as we have a dense network of rail connections. It is much easier to avoid flying in Europe than in the USA. As an architect, I believe it is important to raise awareness of the construction industry’s contribution to CO2 emissions, which accounts for 40% of the total. Fifteen years ago, we designed the first eco-hotel in Nepal, at the foot of Everest. This project was recognised by UNESCO as an example of education for sustainable development. Unfortunately, the 2015 earthquake and the subsequent corona crisis have delayed its completion until today. Along the way, we will visit examples…

Since several months we are trying to get in contact with the Rotary Clubs of ten countries being part of our ‘Less-is-More-Tour’. Due to the privacy policy within Europe we had no idea how difficult this could be, but we managed already to have most of the Rotary Clubs contacted for the first two weeks of our tour plan. The rhythm of our stages is trying to adapt mostly to the meeting rhythm of the local Rotary Clubs. Some of the Clubs which already answered were even willing to alter their common meeting schedule and offer us alternative dates to be able to do our lecture for Climate Change. We…

The first week has already been organised with the Rotary Clubs along the route, which goes from Starnberg via Kempten, Rorschach, Liechtenstein, Thusis, Flims-Laax, Disentis and Andermatt, over the Furka Pass and into the Rhône Valley. The highest stages of the ‘Less – is – More Tour’ lead over the Furka Pass past the Rhone and Aletsch glaciers. The rapid loss of glacier ice due to global warming since industrialisation becomes extremely visible here and is part of the presentation. (Image copyright: Jürgen Merz)

At the Rotary District 1841 conference Governor 2024/2025 Christian Fey awarded the “Less-is-more-Tour” among other projects for the Environmental Grant Plus together with our incoming Governor 2025/2026 Linda Gebser. After the ceremony we celebrated the evening with a boat ride on the Starnberg lake and the hand over to Governor Linda Gebser. A beautiful raibow accompanied the festive atmosphere. Some impressions from the beauty of the Starnberg lake boatride in the #regionstarnbergammersee