Funnel 40/2, Inhalt - Fulbright-Kommission

34
FROM OUR FULBRIGHTERS
er: 0.89 € per liter or $4.15 per gallon
as compared to 0.29 € per liter or
$1.35 per gallon in the U.S. Additionally
the German federal land use
law (Bundesbaugesetz) mandates
each town have a bank, school,
supermarket, and public
transportation making a
car unnecessary. As a result,
a third of all trips taken in
Germany are by foot or
bicycle, compared to less
than a tenth of all trips in
the U.S.
Other factors also
encourage Germans to
behave environmentally.
Electricity in Germany is
substantially more expensive
than in the U.S.; the
average kilowatt-per-hour
cost in U.S. dollars (2002
data) was seven cents in
the U.S. whereas in
Germany the average kilowatt-per-hour
cost is almost
three times that. Furthermore,
if improperly separated, household
trash will simply not be removed in
some areas of Germany.
Unfortunately younger Germans’
environmental consciousness is waning
despite growing up in an
atmosphere of environmental
awareness. From 1998 to
2003 the number
of 14- to 29-
THE FUNNEL • VOLUME 40 • NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2004
“Your garbage belongs to me, not the environment.” But separate it!
year-olds willing to pay more to purchase environmentallyfriendly
products decreased 30%. Many of my German
friends state great skepticism for the whole system
after having seen the recycling collectors recommingle
the separated trash and wonder why
they should sort their garbage only to have it
reconsolidated. This is exactly my sentiment
when separating trash at law school.
I am still unclear as to whether the Germans
take personal responsibility for their actions and
the effect of these actions on the environment.
Even so, Germany serves as a model country
demonstrating environmental awareness and
conscience decision making; the system is so convenient
and cost-effective that most Germans
participate. The challenge remains to transfer
these qualities to the U.S. As one American politician
reportedly said, “the American lifestyle is not
up for negotiation.” Germany is a place where
the people have elected to negotiate with respect
to their lifestyles in order that they may enjoy a
cleaner environment.