German Consul General Speaks on Environment
April 20, 2002
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The Honorable Dr. Alexander Petri, Consul General of the Chicago consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany spoke to the German Club at Indiana University at South Bend.
The speech coincided with Earth Day at Potawatomi Park.
Policy principles
Dr. Petri outlined the three legs of German environmental policy:
- precautionary principle
- polluter pays
- incentives to cooperate
Precautionary principle - All substances are assumed to be harmful unless there is scientific proof to the contrary. The burden of proof is on the person or organization that seeks to introduce a substance into the common environment.
Polluter pays - The person or corporation creating a problem pays to prevent or fix it. Many consumer goods, including new cars and trucks, cost a more than in the U.S. because the manufacturer is responsible for recycling the products at the end of their useful life. German people bring their own bags to shop -- plastic bags cost money because they must be recycled. Strict enforcement of environmental laws is the norm.
Incentives to cooperate - The German government encourages voluntary action. When voluntary action does not occur or is insufficient to meet the federal goals, then taxes, fees or other inducements are imposed to make cooperation less expensive than noncompliance.
The Consul General described the German system of environmental taxes which encourage the conservation of non-renewable resources and the German three-tier system of protected lands.
Land management
The German approach to land and water protection is:
- Preservation and restoration
- Landscaping
- Recreation use
Preservation - The most restrictive land use class is earmarked for preserving or restoring land and waterways. A small percentage of land is classified for preservation and restoration.
Landscaping - Landscaping is restricted. Municipalities, individual land owners and businesses require permits to alter the natural landscape and vegetation.
Recreation - Some land is reserved for recreational use. It cannot be altered without permission.
The German Club held a reception before and after Dr. Petri's speech.
Dave Vollrath and Tom Brown, of the St. Joe Valley Greens, attended the lecture, asked questions from the audience and spoke to the Consul General afterwards.
Dave is pictured with the Consul General (115k) and his wife. Dave is wearing the Greens tee shirt.
St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN