Environment

The Fall of the Iron Curtain announced itself in environmental terms as well. But before that: How did environmental protection rank within the two states in divided Germany? Was it given any priority? The principle of sustainability serves the well-being of all people, but is often only implemented on a voluntary and individual basis. Should states regulate the path to sustainable living or should everyone decide for themselves? How does contemporary Germany rank in terms of renewable energies? How environmentally conscious are young Germans and how do they compare to their American peers? Who is responsible for ensuring that future generations can still live on this world?

The border and the environment

When they think about the “wall,” most people think about the Berlin wall. But what about the inter-German border that ran through 860 miles, dividing Germany into East and West? How did this border affect the environment? Astrid M. Eckert, PhD, prof. of history at Emory University introduces the green belt.

Nachhaltiges Handeln, eine individuelle Entscheidung?

For students of German

Is sustainability an individual or collective choice?
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Sustainable living in the GDR

Was sustainable living a concern to every day people in the GDR? If so, how?

Environmental concerns in West Germany

How important were environmental concerns in West Germany after
Germany’s partition in 1949?

Environmental movements in the GDR

Did East Germany have environmental movements? How did they fit with Socialist ideology?

Did the GDR have oppositional movements?

The history of the 1953 crushed worker's uprising by the Soviet troops is well known, but did the GDR have other oppositional movements?

Environment announced the Fall

In her latest book, Astrid M. Eckert, PhD, professor of history at Emory University, argues that the impending collapse of socialist East Germany in November 1989 (Fall of Iron Curtain) announced itself in environmental terms as well.

A coal based industry

With its smelly two-stroke cars (Trabi) and lignite (low quality coal)-based industry, the GDR was an environmental catastrophe.

The Trabant

The most iconic of GDR's cars, the Trabi, was an environmental polluter extraordinaire. Take a look at Trabi videofootage taken by GDR-citizens.

Design and Modernism in the GDR

Are you familiar with GDR's modernist lifestyle and architecture? Take a peek at videofootage from GDR citizens.

Foreign Travel and Carbon Footprint

The GDR had limited, but not forbidden travel opportunities. Take a look at how GDR's citizens traveled and the carbon footprint they left behind.

German Reunification and the Environment

Was there an environmental dimension to German reunification in 1990?

Energiewende: Renewable energies in Germany today

What is the Energiewende and how does contemporary Germany rank in terms of renewable energies?

It is normal to bring reusable items out in public in Germany?

Sustainability in Germany today

Molly Schwertfuehrer, Mt. Lebanon Highschool, PA, asks: Is it normal to bring reusable items (bags, water bottles, mugs, utensils. etc.) out in public in Germany?