In an era of rapid technological advancements, it's in every individual's interest to contribute less to global ecological problems.

Even though groups of individuals may actively plan and execute measures to protect the environment, a higher level of organization is needed to promote according laws and strategies to a large population.

Of course, each country that is dedicated to conserving the environment has the task to regulate its environmental strategies on a national level, thus creating policies regarding the environment, which have a very broad influence on the country's population.

One of the greenest pioneers of Europe that managed to sustainably grow and decrease its negative effect on the environment in the shortest amount of time is Germany, a country famed for its environmentally friendly citizens.

In fact, Germans are praised for their recycling practices, and have become somewhat of a topic for discussions. The true evidence to support these claims came when the European Union identified them as one of Europe's most prominent recyclers, with only 3 % of their municipal waste buried, which in turn provided practically zero landfill.

During the 1980's, concerns rose about the German environment rose due to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and Germany's policies regarding the environment changed drastically.

In only a few years, Germany managed to reduce its sulfur dioxide emissions in West Germany by one-third, and dust levels fell from a staggering 3.2 million tons in 1980, to 550 000 tons by the end of the 1980's.

Germany was the first country to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in 2009, decreasing CO2 emissions by 23 % compared to its levels in the 1990's. (Based on the data provided by the International Energy Agency).

In the last two decades, Germany's renewable energy consumption increased dramatically, even up to 5 times, being known as the largest user of wind energy and by having the largest solar energy capacity in the world (44 % of the world's PV capacity, Source: REN21 2011)

Image source: Worldwatch Institute, Suppli, SEIA, National Electricity Agencies.

To further promote a green economy and to address the Fukushima disaster, Germany issued strategies to deal with its nuclear power.

Together with the Scandinavian countries, Germany shapes every debate on sustainable growth in Europe.

By promoting green economy and growth, employment in the renewable energy sector increased by 129 % in 2010 compared to 2004, which resulted in 367 400 jobs (BMU)

Freiburg, a German city, is considered by many to be the greenest city in the world, and has many articles devoted to explaining why exactly it deserves that recognition.

What is popular about Freiburg is the city's environmental policy on bike-friendly traffic.

Furthermore, more than 50 000 products with a Bio-Siegel eco label can be found in Germany's supermarkets (WWF).

Germany has very ambitious strategies to close the last nuclear power plant by 2022, and by 2050 to cut its GHG emissions by 80 % in comparison to its levels in the 1990's, while renewable energy sources are expected to contribute to 60 % of Germany's total energy consumption.

An interesting article on Germany by the WWF:

http://wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/live_green/travel/on_vacation/eco_tips/germany/