Besides trains, buses and trams are other public transportation options, often marked by a green "H" (for Haltestelle) in a yellow circle. Public transportation vehicles can carry more passengers than cars, which reduces emissions, reduces energy consumption and reduces the number of cars on roads.
Apart from mindfully choosing goods and services, many Germans also engage in environmental activism. In 2023, climate activists around the world participated in a movement wherein they paint prominent structures to bring attention to the need for countries to immediately and drastically reduce their carbon emissions. Even a building at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology was vandalized with orange paint. This past February, I also observed yellow notes saying "Klima Killer" posted on large automobiles throughout the city. Large automobiles are often less fuel efficient. These notes appeared to be posted by the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (V.C.D.), meaning German Traffic Club, which is a non-profit organization that advocated for Germany to transition to more environmentally and socially conscious transportation. People in Germany also take action to help the planet by volunteering. Karlsruhe organizes Dreck-weg-Wochen (Dirt Away Weeks) to encourage people to volunteer and clean litter in the city. Dreck-weg-Wochen is organized by Team Sauberes Karlsruhe (Clean Karlsruhe team), which provides volunteers grippers and special collection bags, and offers prizes to volunteers.
