Talk by Dr. Joela Jacobs: "It’s Not Easy Being Green: Environmentalism and Social Justice in Contemporary German Culture"

Environmentalism is of central cultural importance in Germany, and it has taken on a particular shape over the past decades. This shape emerges most clearly in contexts when Germans teach others about their environmentalism. In the context of the so-called refugee crisis around 2015, many initiatives sprung up to make new arrivals feel welcome in Germany and help them get settled. Environmentalist practices like recycling were considered an important piece of these education initiatives, and the way these programs presented their work in the media showcased their understanding of environmentalism as “a cultural value.” On the basis of these materials, this talk examines environmentalism as such a culturally shaped and valued practice in contemporary Germany and asks how environmental and social justice can go hand in hand in this context.