German Environmental Issues

Man’s Effect on Nature

Pollution and Industry

Acts Against Pollution• On January 1st 2010 Germany made laws to limit

Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution. • With these laws, Germany is currently one of the

lowest producers of Nitrogen Dioxide. • Germany has been working on efficient green energy,

specifically funding solar energy. (Over 40% of energy funding)

• In Germany, Carbon Dioxide emissions have been reduced from ~242866 metric tons to ~210480 metric tons.

• Germany has started many of the anti pollution laws that exist throughout Europe today.

Industrial Pollution in the Frankfurt area

Industrial Causes of Pollution

• Gasoline is still heavily relied upon, accounting for roughly 18% of the overall CO2 emissions.

• Air Pollution in Germany leads to a major environmental concern, Acid Rain.

• Multiple industrial companies dump waste into freshwater environments, causing contamination.

• Industrial growth over the past twenty years has accounted for roughly 70% of all pollution in Germany.

• In 2008, a massive pocket of industrial pollution was found between Frankfurt and Amsterdam, it still exists today.

Notice… ^

Pollution Today, a Comparison• The average percent of air pollution in Germany has

decreased by 46% since 1990.• Recent increases in nature preservation has helped

lower the amount of CO2 emissions by nearly 30%• Germany currently has some of the cleanest water in

Europe, ranking in the Top 5 countries. (after laws being passed in 2007 and 2008)

• The region around Frankfurt and Amsterdam is home to about 40% of the pollution occurring in Germany, today.

• Germany is shifting even more funding to solar energy, due to the rejection of nuclear energy as an option.

The Danube River, running through the city of Passau.

Were you Listening?

1. What is a major issue in Germany, resulting from air pollution?

a) Water Contaminationb) Nuclear Radiationc) Acid Rain

2. Which Green Energy is Germany funding the most?

a) Nuclear Energyb) Solar Energyc) Hydroelectric Power

Were you right?

1. C, Acid Rain… Germany is currently having issues with Acid Rain from air pollution.

2. B, Solar Energy… Germany has been increasing funding for Solar Energy for over 10 years.

Citation

• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html

• http://globaledge.msu.edu/Countries/Germany/statistics

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/24/industrial-pollution-costs-uk-billions