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Tasks
Analyse the concept of the ‘handprint’ in the context of climate protection. Analyse the following aspects:
- Explain the principle of the ‘handprint’. Work out the difference to the concept of the ecological footprint.
- Analyse the specific features of the handprint approach. How can it help to motivate more people to act in a climate-friendly way.
- Discuss, using concrete examples, how the handprint approach can be implemented in different areas (e.g. school, work, leisure) to promote climate-friendly behaviour.
- Evaluate the strengths and possible weaknesses of the handprint concept as an instrument for promoting climate protection measures.
- Justify your statements, referring to the materials provided and your prior knowledge of climate protection.
The concept of the ‘handprint’ represents a paradigm shift in the area of climate protection and sustainability. In contrast to ‘ecological footprint’, which quantifies the negative impact of our consumption and behaviour on the environment, the handprint represents the positive changes we can bring about in society through our commitment and actions.
The handprint approach is based on the premise that individual actions, while important, are often not enough to bring about significant and lasting change. Instead, it focuses on our ability to influence structures and systems in order to implement sustainable and climate-friendly solutions on a broader scale.
While actions to reduce one’s personal ecological footprint, such as reducing plastic consumption or using a bicycle instead of a car, are undoubtedly valuable, the handprint aims to initiate actions that motivate other people to join in and bring about systemic change. These systemic transformations result in climate-friendly actions being implemented by a greater number of people, exponentially increasing the collective impact.
An illustrative example of the practical application of the handprint concept can be found in the school context. Here, student representatives have a central role in the implementation of sustainable practices. Through their involvement, students can have a significant influence on school decision-making processes and initiate innovative, climate-friendly projects. One concrete example of this is the successful initiative of a student council, which ensured that all school trips are organised exclusively using environmentally friendly means of transport such as trains or buses.
This example illustrates how the handprint approach enables individuals to go beyond their personal area of influence and initiate structural changes that contribute to a more sustainable and climate-friendly society in the long term.
The Agenda is aimed at all states in the global community. They are equally called upon to work towards the development goals formulated in it – there is no division into „donors“ and „recipients“ or into „first“, „second“ and „third world“ in the Agenda.