Author Archives: Nina Grafton

Germany’s Nuclear Phase Out

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It’s official: Germany has moved on from nuclear energy.

On Saturday April 15th, 2023, Germany shut down its last three nuclear power plants: Emsland, Isar 2, and Neckarwestheim. The plants were set to be closed by the end of 2022, but because of the war in Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz decided in October 2022 to keep the three power plants operating. The government hoped that the nuclear power would help offset the loss of energy from Russia. It was decided that the power plants would continue operating until April of 2023, when inevitably, they were shut down.

Germany has always had conflicting views about nuclear energy. Until 2011, the country obtained nearly ¼ of their total energy supply from about 17 nuclear power plants. Support for nuclear energy was relatively strong until the Cherynobyl disaster in 1986, which gave birth to new fears about the safety of nuclear energy. In the same year, the Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands) passed a resolution to completely phase out nuclear energy in ten years (World Nuclear Association 2023). While this plan was not completely fulfilled, the anti-nuclear movement gave birth to a new party, the Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). Currently, the Green Party is a part of the ruling coalition of the Bundestag, and they have consistently grown in popularity. The disaster at Fukushima in 2011 caused the German government to officially renounce nuclear energy; Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that they would “accelerate” the phase out of nuclear energy (Paddison et al. 2023). 

But the complete abandonment of nuclear energy has been offset by something much worse: coal. 30% of Germany’s energy comes from coal and other fossil fuels. Germany has planned to completely phase out of coal energy by 2038, but in the meantime, the country is still reliant on it.

On the other hand, the United States has been investing more into nuclear energy over the years. The US is the world’s largest producer of nuclear power, and has 55 operating nuclear power plants, with more being constructed. Generally, the United States considers nuclear power a good, low-carbon alternative to other energy sources, such as fossil fuels. The United States experienced a nuclear accident in 1979 at Three Mile Island near Harrisburg, PA, but there were no significant health effects recorded. This accident and other nuclear disasters around the world did not deter the United States from investing in nuclear energy. Phasing out nuclear energy like Germany would be near impossible in the United States; not only would the country have to turn to fossil fuels to offset the loss, billions of dollars would be lost and many employees would lose their jobs. All in all, the United States relies too heavily on nuclear energy to turn away from nuclear energy. 

References: 

“Nuclear Power in Germany.” World Nuclear Association, World Nuclear Association, Apr. 2023, https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/germany.aspx.

“Nuclear Power in the USA.” World Nuclear Association , World Nuclear Association, 2023, https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/usa-nuclear-power.aspx.

Paddison, Laura, et al. “Germany Quits Nuclear Power, Ushering in a ‘new Era’ as It Closes Its Final Three Plants.” CNN, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html

Erlkönig

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Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Composition by Franz Schubert

“Erlkönig” is a poem that was originally written by the famous German author Goethe in 1782, but arguably more popular is the musical composition by Franz Schubert, which takes Goethe’s poem and puts it to music.

The story follows a young boy and his father. The young child, simply referred to as “der Kind”, has fallen ill, and his father (der Vater) as they ride on horseback through the forest. The child is frightened, as he believes they are being chased by the Erlkönig, though the father says there is nothing following them. The Erlkönig attempts to coerce the child with promises of games and beautiful flowers. The father cannot ride fast enough, and the Erlkönig reaches out to grasp the child; they eventually reach their destination, but the father discovers his son is dead. 

Goethe’s early work clearly defined the Sturm und Drang period. Translating to “storm and stress,” was a German artistic movement preceding Romanticism that focused on the realities of life, extreme emotional states, and tragedies. This is clear in “Erlkönig” with the death of the young child. 

One of the biggest German aspects of the poem is the fact that it takes place in a forest. Germany has a long history with the forest, as it was heavily featured in early fairytales, studied during early environmentalism, and focused on by German scholars today. In traditional German fairytales, the forest was associated with danger and mystery. Often, antagonists of the stories would live in the forest, such as the witch in Hansel and Gretel. This is true in “Erlkönig”, as the Erlkönig lives and “attacks” in the forest. Even the father, who cannot see the Erlkönig, describes the forest as ominous. 

The ending of the poem can be interpreted through a climate activism standpoint. The forest and the Erlkönig represent climate change, and how the rapid deterioration of the planet is catching up with humanity. If the harm to the planet becomes irreversible, we may not have a future generation: represented by the death of the child. The poem ends with the word “dead,” showing how there is no action after the death of the climate and the future generations.

Though written hundreds of years ago, “Erlkönig” can teach readers about the history of the forest and perhaps creates a sense of urgency to pursue climate justice. Also, it is easier for people to understand complex topics through emotions, rather than a scientific paper.

References:

Boyle, Nicholas. “Johann Wolfgang von Goethe”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Britannica, the Editors of Encyclopaedia. “The Erl-King”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Erl-King. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Sturm und Drang”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Sturm-und-Drang. Accessed 17 April 2023.

von Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. “Erlkönig.” 1782. Oxford Lieder, https://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk/song/1420. Accessed 17 April 2023.