Chapter 10Commonalities and differences FRG vs GDR: 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? 

These videos give some answers.

1. 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. 

2. SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN THE GDR
Was sustainable living a concern to every day people in the GDR? If so, how?

3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN WEST GERMANY
How important were environmental concerns in West Germany after
Germany’s partition in 1949?

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS IN THE GDR
Did East Germany have environmental movements? How did they fit with Socialist ideology?

5. 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? 

6. 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. 

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

8. 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.  

9. DESIGN AND MODERNISM IN THE GDR
Are you familiar with GDR's modernist lifestyle and architecture? Take a peek at videofootage from GDR citizens. 

10. 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. 

11. GERMAN REUNIFICATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Was there an environmental dimension to German reunification in 1990?

12. ENERGIEWENDE: RENEWABLE ENERGIES IN GERMANY TODAY
What is the Energiewende and how does contemporary Germany rank in terms of renewable energies? 

13. 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?

14. CITY PLANNING: DESIGNING HUMAN LIFE
Dr. Noa K. Ha was trained as an architecural planner and discusses what fascinates her about cities.

15. CITIES OF THE FUTURE
The current pandemic has questioned the ways in which we as humans live in urban environments. What will future cities look like?

FOR STUDENTS OF GERMAN
Is sustainability an individual or collective choice? Download interactive PDF.

PARTNER
Bundesstiftung Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur (Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship), German Consulate General New York, German American Partnership Program (GAPP), American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) and Spark for German.