Germany

600 CE - 2015 CE

“In the 1970s Germany developed one of the largest antinuclear movements in the Western world. During the 1980s, the fear of widespread deforestation turned Germany into the vanguard of pollution control. After the Rio summit of 1992, Germany became a leader in the global fight against climate change. Most recently the boom of renewable energy from wind and solar has galvanized attention around the globe.”

BIRDS: 13 species are extinct and 11 are endangered
FISH: 6 species are extinct and 14 are endangered
MAMMALS: 7 species are extinct and 7 are endangered
INSECTS: 22 species are endangered
BIVALVES: 30 mullosk species are endangered.
INVASIVE SPECIES: 15 invasive and non-native species

Most Pressing Issues

Energy Transition

Legislative support for renewable energy was passed in 2010 and includes GHG reductions of 80–95% by 2050 and a renewable energy target of 60% by 2050, but getting has proved complicated

Agriculture

Conventional agriculture using pesticides and fertilizers and industrial-scale animal husbandry takes up over 50% of the land used in Germany and is causing extensive environmental damage.

Pollution

Germany was one of the chief centers of heavy industry throughout the 20th century, leaving a large legacy of pollution and environmental degradation.

Deforestation

Due to the forestry industry, acid rain, and clearing for agricultural production, the forest cover in Germany has shrunk to 31.7%.

Fish in Peril

Damming and installation of locks along the rivers, industrial pollution, and the introduction of exotic species have all radically altered riparian ecologies making it difficult for fish to survive.

How You Can Help

German Environmental Aid Association

The German Environmental Aid Association is a crusader for nature and consumers, forging alliances with politicians and the business world to promote the careful use of our natural resources.

Robin Wood

Robin Wood fights against forest dieback. The “Avengers of the Dying Forests“ draw people‘s attention through spectacular public actions.

Association for German Nature Conservation

The Association for German Nature Conservation (Deutscher Naturschutzring) is an associations of 95 groups that promote conservation and environmental protection

Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union

The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union works for the protection of biological diversity by focusing on the implementation of federal laws, highlighting species protection, agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing

LIFE+ project

The LIFE+ project by Rheinauen works to re-establish critical ecological dynamics and valuable natural structures in the Rhine and Murg river valleys.