Germany is often thought of as a land of boundless forests, with mighty rivers winding through castle-dotted cliffs, populated by quaint people in lederhosen. While all of these things do exist in Germany, the reality is that Germany is an intensely industrial and technological society, with over 80 million people living in an area little more than half the size of the province of Manitoba, which has just over one million people. The majority of Germans live in sizeable cities and work in service or industrial jobs, many of which provide goods and services not just for Germans, but for the whole world.
Environmental Problems in Germany
Germany faces several significant environmental problems as the result of its legacy as a highly industrialized nation, including huge amounts of pollution in all of its rivers and in the seas surrounding the country, especially the Baltic Sea. The eastern parts of Germany are the most polluted, as the communist government of the former East Germany never tackled environmental problems. As Germany is both geographically small and densely populated, there is little space for this pollution to dissipate. Acid rain has been a huge problem in the past, devastating Germany's remaining forest cover. Large areas of the country are covered in the remains of now-closed strip mines, especially where Germany's formerly vast reserves of coal were located.
Germany contains significant populations of a variety of wild animals, but many of them are either under threat or have recently been returning the country after being driven out of it previously. Once a country covered in ancient forests, there are now few remaining large forests in Germany and many of these are under threat from acid rain, forestry and environmental contamination. While there are a handful of sizeable national parks in Germany, given Germany's dense population and high level of industrial development, there is simply little room for wildlife to live. A lesser known but significant environmental problem has been one of introduced animals, with raccoons having established themselves in Germany, having been introduced for their fur. Most of Germany's electrical power comes from burning fossil fuels, though nuclear power is also a significant and controversial source of power. While Germany is a leader in alternative and sustainable energy sources, it is doubtful that these sources could potentially meet Germany's vast demand.
Germany contains significant populations of a variety of wild animals, but many of them are either under threat or have recently been returning the country after being driven out of it previously. Once a country covered in ancient forests, there are now few remaining large forests in Germany and many of these are under threat from acid rain, forestry and environmental contamination. While there are a handful of sizeable national parks in Germany, given Germany's dense population and high level of industrial development, there is simply little room for wildlife to live. A lesser known but significant environmental problem has been one of introduced animals, with raccoons having established themselves in Germany, having been introduced for their fur. Most of Germany's electrical power comes from burning fossil fuels, though nuclear power is also a significant and controversial source of power. While Germany is a leader in alternative and sustainable energy sources, it is doubtful that these sources could potentially meet Germany's vast demand.
Environmental Renewal in Germany
While Germany faces several serious environmental problems, it is also a leader in "green technology" and research into alternate energy sources and has invested billions in cleaning up the legacy of 150 years of industrial development. Over a quarter of all German territory is protected in some way, with the first national parks established in 1970 and animal species long driven out of Germany, including brown bears and wolves have slowly been starting to return to the country.
Industry is tightly regulated, and environmental standards today are high, with stiff fines being levied against any company that violates the laws against improper disposal of waste. There is a strong social movement in Germany to phase out nuclear power and work towards developing alternate means of providing electricity that are not as polluting as coal or as dangerous as nuclear power.
While Germany's environmental problems are significant, the German people are taking their environmental obligations seriously and are working hard to clean up the damage already done to their environment and ensure that economic development is less damaging in the future.
Industry is tightly regulated, and environmental standards today are high, with stiff fines being levied against any company that violates the laws against improper disposal of waste. There is a strong social movement in Germany to phase out nuclear power and work towards developing alternate means of providing electricity that are not as polluting as coal or as dangerous as nuclear power.
While Germany's environmental problems are significant, the German people are taking their environmental obligations seriously and are working hard to clean up the damage already done to their environment and ensure that economic development is less damaging in the future.
Aluminum Recycling in Germany
This video details the aluminum recycling process in Germany. One of Germany's major industries, it takes up a vast amount of power, but recycling efforts have considerable benefits.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Germany-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Germany-ENVIRONMENT.html
Ideas for Further Inquiry
1.) Is the environmental price paid for Germany's development "worth it", considering Germany's wealth and high standard of living? What about Canada?
2.) Germany faces difficulty in dealing with pollution due to its small size and dense population. How does this compare with Canada's vast spaces and small population? Does this affect Canadian attitudes about pollution?
3.) Germany uses nuclear power extensively. Nuclear power is not nearly as polluting as burning coal, but it is more dangerous due to the risk of serious accidents. How do you feel about nuclear power? Is it a good way to produce power or is it too dangerous to use?
2.) Germany faces difficulty in dealing with pollution due to its small size and dense population. How does this compare with Canada's vast spaces and small population? Does this affect Canadian attitudes about pollution?
3.) Germany uses nuclear power extensively. Nuclear power is not nearly as polluting as burning coal, but it is more dangerous due to the risk of serious accidents. How do you feel about nuclear power? Is it a good way to produce power or is it too dangerous to use?