Germany: A Tale of Greenginering Country
By: Jerni Tania
Tags: Germany, Sustainable Travel, Earth, Hiking, Green Energy

Article by: Jerni Tania

Our world is a fantastic place! Can you imagine that it has already sustained everything living on it for a million years? Although, if we look closer, our presence brings more damages to its existence before, it does not mean there is no hope of making it a better place to live. Nowadays, some sustainable traveling platforms promote this idea: traveling while preserving nature, such as B’n’Tree.

Personally, as someone who comes from Indonesia, where the environment system is not as advanced as some other country, often time I feel tortured. I can not contain the feeling of being hopeless to see trashes everywhere, broke environmental systems that caused natural disasters, like FLOOD! Especially in the capital city, Jakarta. I wrote it in italic because I do believe there are some solutions to prevent this, the so-called: natural disaster from happening. Elaborating all the possibilities and solutions, then pointing out a finger finding somebody to blame will not automatically solve the problems itself.

Living in Germany for almost three years has changed a lot of the way I behave and think about the environment. I won’t say it is always fun and easy; there are some of the moments where I do want to give up being in this country. For example, the complexity of the system, but to adopt the idea of making this world a better place to live in, and to sustain its availability a little bit longer for our offsprings seems like a stable system other countries need to reflect on.

Environmental Policy helps me do it!

“The state of the environment in Germany has improved markedly since 1990. Nevertheless, considerable further efforts are needed. Priorities in environmental policies are set on climate protection, sustainable use of energy and resources, a further reduction of substance inputs to the environment and promoting the transition to a green economy”, as I quote directly from the European Environmental Agency website. Germany is one of the countries that take environmental issues at any stake to a severe level. For example, Germany is known among ex-pats for its complicated recycling system, and the dirty looks from your neighbor if you are not recycling correctly. The first time, I arrived here, and I have to sort out every trash I had, it took me literally half an hour stood in front of the colorful garbage can, tried so hard not to mess things up by accidentally put the wrong materials of waste into the wrong bin. It sounds exaggerating, but taking waste management seriously is an essential part of Energiewende (energy system transformation).

One thing that I pay attention to is alternative transportation here, especially during summer. Extensive public and bicycle transportation encourage fossil fuel independence. There are 200 long-distance bicycle paths cross the country in 70,000 km of well-maintained trails, and some cities, for example like Freiburg, have made bike-friendly traffic improvements as a part of environmental policy. When it comes to public transportation, the German system is relatively efficient, with 88 percent of inhabitants live near a bus or train stop, or so to say the distance is within walk distance. I, myself, live across the tram station with no complaint of having no car, because it is so convenient to access public transportation, and it’s only 1-minute walking distance to the nearest tram station plus 10 minutes to the city.

Hike, hike up to the Green Hills

Those two things I mentioned above only small examples of how Germany trying to the maximum limit on how to improve its environmental system. The awareness of environmental policy also being a natural part of the people who live in the country. It is clearly stated on European Climate Law point number 12, which established together by WWF and Green Peace, that given the scale and pace climate action required across society, which is meant the whole EU citizen and non-citizen living inside EU.

The dirty look from your neighbor like I mentioned above, is one of the minor attitude ex-pats will receive if trying to ignore the environmental policy itself. But, by this saying, the result is truly incredible. I have a lot of ultimate delightful experiences exploring the nature surrounding. I have never been a hiking woman before and made me want to climb up the hills and the mountain, and seeing the wildlife. So far, my most unforgettable experience with nature was in the zoo, SeaWorld, or even museum as I am coming from the big city. I did not have any authentic experience on how animals live in their natural habitat unless I read it on books and wildlife series on TV. Being in Germany, participating in some of the small hikes surroundings, make me appreciate the nature and environment even more.

Here and now, I realize that this earth is worth fighting for, maybe we can not prevent it from getting degenerated by ages, but surely we could help it to suffer less or helping it to sustain a bit longer. If you take a walk to the forest, seeing the different types of trees and small insects — even if you are lucky to spot a deer run across — your whole being existence knows instantly that this universe is truly a beautiful place to live. If we can make a small impact on changing the situation, would you not like to be a part of it? Sometimes small acts seem like nothing, but simultaneously we will see the difference after some years. Are you up for this challenge?

Keyword: sustainable, earth, green

Data source: WWF, EU

More Pictures IG: @mimpikreatiff