16 May 2024 – „Your humor and your work are a shining example of the power of the individual. You manage to develop a positive vision of the future and create acceptance for necessary changes,“ emphasized laudator Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Augsburg, in her speech about Eckart von Hirschhausen to around 450 invited guests from politics, business, culture and urban society. Traidl-Hoffmann, who is one of the most important environmental physicians in Germany and a member of the Federal Government’s Scientific Advisory Council on Global Change, went on to explain in her laudatory speech how important it is to create profound social connections in the face of climate change, for example when von Hirschhausen remarked to political decision-makers that everything is connected to everything except the German ministries, which still work mainly for themselves. Climate change affects everything and everyone. And everyone can and must do something about it.
At the Evening of Hope, Eckart von Hirschhausen expressed his gratitude for the award and for the opportunity to once again reach a large audience for one of his currently most important messages: „We know that our hut is burning. We know we have an emergency. In my medical training, I learned that in an emergency in the emergency room, I don’t deal with the athlete’s foot first, I look at the cardiovascular system and stabilize it. We finally need to prioritize what we take care of as a society.“ In his emotional and humorous speech, von Hirschhausen did exactly what laudator Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann had previously praised him for. He inspired and stimulated thought with catchy images. For example, when he compared behavior with regard to the climate crisis with a situation that is familiar to everyone. Waking up in bed at night with a full bladder. And instead of getting up, hoping for a moment that things will work out. But that is exactly what is not happening. The climate crisis will not simply disappear, no matter how much we ignore it. We must finally get up and do what is necessary.
For years, the physician and science journalist has been building social bridges between climate protection and the healthcare system through his foundation, “Gesunde Erde Gesunde Menschen” (Healthy Earth, Healthy People), and is particularly committed to fostering a better understanding of climate change across all social classes and sectors. He and his team tirelessly educate the public about these connections and strive to build networks to advance the dialogue and cooperation needed to tackle the climate crisis. As an award recipient, von Hirschhausen is therefore also an exemplary ambassador for today’s DAY OF HOPE, which was kicked off with the EVENING OF HOPE and the atmospheric awards ceremony.
Kickoff for the DAY OF HOPE
For the second time, the DAY OF HOPE will take place on May 16, 2024, at Werksviertel-Mitte. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, there will be an extensive program featuring many free hands-on activities and informational sessions, as well as the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of a diverse neighborhood initiative. Neighborhood hubs such as the WHEEL OF HOPE (at the UMADUM Ferris wheel), the STAGE OF HOPE (at the WERK7theater), and the MARKET OF HOPE (Knödelplatz and Container Collective) will each focus on different themes. The goal of the day is to raise awareness among students and Munich residents. After all: “Everyone can do something.” That is the motto of UN Peace Ambassador Jane Goodall, patron of the DAY OF HOPE. Special thanks this year go to Bayernwerk for its tremendous support of the DAY OF HOPE.
Isabell Zacharias, Executive Director of the Otto Eckart Foundation, once again emphasized the importance of events like these. “The challenges are immense. And time is running out. That’s why, at our DAY OF HOPE, we want to show Munich residents of all generations—in a concrete and playful way—what they can personally do today to shape their own lives and our future more consciously. And we want to give them hope that they can make a difference.” What matters, she explained, is not the size of each individual’s steps, but the combined number of steps taken by everyone. This message also left a lasting impression at the EVENING OF HOPE.
