In a day and age where “going green” dominates everything from media, schools, and now even public policy, the not-so newsworthy country of Germany is making headlines because of their progress in the field. Their passion to develop this sense of sustainability began with the devastating disaster we know as “Fukashima”. Another major contributor of the green movement was the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. This disaster left the country worried about the potential dangers of nuclear energy and led the nation to introduce its first ministry responsible for the environment in 1990.  In a further attempt to use renewable energy, that new ministry enacted a program call FIT. That stands for “First-Feed in Tariffs” which provided monetary rewards for creating small scale renewable energy sources. Scientists and those studying green policy in Germany say that this program was directly responsible for the boom in renewable energy. Renewable energy sources experiencing a boom come from sources like wind turbines on farms, home solar-panels, and bio-gas being created by local farm waste. All of these sources are being used by countless Germans today.

Germany may have initiated this movement many years ago, but progress is still being made today. In 2011, nearly 20% of energy used in Germany was renewable energy. Nearly half of its nuclear power plants were closed just last year, and the country plans on closing the remaining plants by 2022. As a matter of fact, according to the UK news company “The Guardian”, the amount of renewable energy currently being produced and consumed in Germany is the equivalent of 20 nuclear power stations, minus the danger. By 2050 the country plans on not only reducing energy consumption by a considerable amount, but they also plan on producing nearly 80% of the energy they use, in renewable form of course. Furthering the green movement, Chancellor Angela Merkel has also introduced propositions to reduce CO2 levels. Her plan would cut CO2 levels by 40% in 2020, and as much as 80% by 2050. Her avid plan to reduce Germany’s carbon footprint if you will has received criticism and praise from citizens, and foreign leaders. While Germany is reducing reliance on nuclear energy, President Obama has passed legislation which would increase our dependence and create more nuclear reactors by providing state-backed loans for nuclear plants looking to expand.

Critics of the plan argue that this is unfeasible and will cost Germany way too much. According to German energy journalist Christian Schwagerl, in order for this plan to work Germany would have to replace three quarters of Germany’s current energy sources with green technology in order to achieve her green and CO2 reduction goals. But the progress can be seen simply by exploring the country. Wind turbines can be found all along the northern coast, and in the sunny south photovoltaic panels cover nearly all rooftops. Whether or not this plan is achievable can only be determined by watching how it all plays out. After all, Germany does in fact have the biggest economy in Europe and the people of Germany have shown sincere dedication to reducing their carbon footprint.

Sources:

1) http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/30/germany-renewable-energy-revolution

2) http://e360.yale.edu/feature/germanys_unlikely_champion_of_a_radical_green_energy_path/2401/

I also reviewed information from the Following:

3) http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/revolution-threatens-to-falter-is-germany-s-green-energy-plan-failing-a-790940.html