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- Title
Geteilt, aber nicht unverbunden. Grenzgewässer als deutsch-deutsches Umweltproblem
- Authors
Eckert, Astrid M.
- Abstract
The article analyses trans-boundary pollution of rivers flowing between East and West Germany and the ways in which both states tried to cope with the problem. For the Federal Republic, this was a pressing concern because 95% of all such rivers ran from East to West. The article illuminates the dynamics that evolved between both German states during the 1970s and 1980s as they tried to negotiate trans-boundary environmental problems. It explains which specific political circumstances, clashing interpretations and interests influenced or prevented agreements. One outstanding factor impacting on East German negotiation strategies was the country's need for western currency. During the 1980s, the chronic shortage of foreign currency facilitated a development in which the environment became a commodity. The river Werra, heavily polluted by potash salts, serves as an example for this development. In this manner, not only environmental policy, but even the ecology of the rivers serves as an independent historical factor.
- Subjects
WERRA River (Germany); GERMANY; RIVER pollution; INTER-German relations, 1945-1990; INTERNATIONAL cooperation on environmental protection; SEWAGE disposal in rivers, lakes, etc.; RUNOFF &; the environment; INDUSTRIAL pollution; STREAM salinity; TWENTIETH century; HISTORY
- Publication
Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte, 2014, Vol 62, Issue 1, p69
- ISSN
0042-5702
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1515/vfzg-2014-0003