Romain Gastauer, 72, from Schifflingen, Luxembourg, has always been a staunch advocate for environmental consciousness. As a retired industrial engineer and married to an artist, Romain has nurtured a family deeply appreciative of sports, art, and sustainability. Their three children reflect these values in their careers: one is a marine researcher, another a former professional cyclist, and the third an art therapist.
The Gastauers live sustainably, maintaining a garden with a compost heap and actively campaigning against pollution and illegal waste dumping. Romain, also a cycling trainer, has passionately guided Luxembourgish cyclists to the WorldTour, showcasing his respect for both sport and nature.
Deeply concerned about climate change, Romain has observed reduced local snowfall and advocates for environmental awareness. He believes in uniting generations to create sustainable solutions. The family's love for nature is evident in their frequent hikes in Luxembourg and Switzerland, underscoring their commitment to a healthier planet for future generations.
What has climate change done here?
“It is particularly evident in the marked reduction of snowfall. Previously, as avid skiers, we could enjoy skiing right here in Luxembourg and engage in cross-country skiing around the "Kayler Poteau" regularly. The conditions were not ideal, but they were good enough to allow us to train consistently from November through March. However, over the past two decades, this opportunity has vanished. In fact, the decline has been especially severe over the last thirty years.”
What do you think world leaders have to do now to stop things from getting worse and to help us adapt?
"One could easily spend an entire meeting, or even a whole day, discussing this question, but I don’t think that would get us anywhere. The only thing I can say is that those who celebrate the world, whether at the national or global level, should sometimes see and feel themselves as fellow human beings. They should reflect on what climate warming and climate change mean for our shared humanity. The focus should not be solely on maximum growth, or even on limiting growth, but on considering what life around us is like and how we can still save our world. Not just for ourselves now, but for our children and grandchildren, and for the generations that will follow."
Life expectancy 2023
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