According to a joint study of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) Germans are increasingly aware of environmental issues. The conservation of nature is regarded a necessary part of the solution of global challenges.
Specifically, the representative study with 2,117 participants showed:
- 63% regard climate and nature protection as a basic requirement for a society to cope with future tasks, such as globalization, ensuring prosperity or staying competitive.
- Nine out of ten make consumption in Germany partly responsible for environmental challenges in other countries.
- Almost 50% claim to always consider environmental issues when purchasing household appliances and illuminants.
- 82% approve the idea of redesigning cities and urban areas such that cars become almost unnecessary.
Federal Minister Barabara Hendricks commented on the study: “The results of the study can be understood as clear plea of German citizens towards their government. Back then; many thought that economic power and environmental protection contradict each other. Today, we know: Good life and nature conservation are inseparable.”
Maria Krautzberger, president of UBA, added: “Germans are willing to buy green products and to switch to green providers. (…) Yet, when it comes to green fashion, supply is still not big enough. Here, producers are requested to increase their product range. Demand will follow.”
Further information can be found here.
Source: BMUB and UBA