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Why is a good relationship with nature and the resources important?
What can I do to help?

In Germany, the protection of the environment is an important issue. This is primarily due to the recognition that the environment is vital for people and their conservation is essential. Therefore, many activities are done for the protection of the environment, to contribute to the preservation of the natural basis of all living beings. Unfortunately, that was not always the case. The consequences of a lack of environmental awareness are felt now more than ever. Polluted oceans by industrial waste or cut down woods for the purpose of extraction of raw materials are just two examples. Because unfortunately not all people and companies voluntarily care for the protection of the environment, in Germany there are many laws and regulations in order to preserve it. Also when it comes to in energy production, the environment in Germany has a high priority. So coal and nuclear power plants are more and more replaced by alternative power generation technologies (wind, solar, biogas, etc.). The industry is committed in many ways through appropriate arrangements for environmentally friendly production techniques and has to pay large penalties for offenses against these. There are many clubs and organizations dedicated to environmental protection, the nature and the animals.

Since each individual person in Germany can do a little for the environment many people are keen to change their own behavior step by step. This is often voluntary and is sometimes regulated by law. For example there are clear rules for separating waste so that it can be reused for a subsequent recycling as much as possible. There are four trash cans that are available: The blue tone for recovered paper, the yellow bin for plastic waste, packaging and metal residues, the brown bin for organic waste from residues from food and plants and the black bin for residual waste which is not in the previous categories include. Even during shopping trips a considering behavior can have a positive influence on the environment. Organic or fresh foods are better than precooked meals. Products which are repeatedly wrapped with plastic, are harmful to the environment. You can also dispense the plastic bag when shopping, instead use a cloth or paper bag. It is also good for the environment to try and reduce the intake of meat because animals need a lot of resources for breeding and care. To use local products is meaningful due to short delivery routes and should be preferred to products that have been imported from far away. There are also more environment friendly ways of travel. Instead of driving, you can use the train or the bike or walk. With this less or no waste gases are produced, which has positive effects on the environment.