The historical evolution of eco-orientation in Germany in the late XIX – early XX centuries

Abstract

This article touches upon the problems of environmental protection in Germany in the course of historical development in the XIX – XX centuries. The author explores the establishment of environmental concept in the country; broaches a question of ideological and ethical approach in human attitude towards nature; discusses the problem of environmental damage as a result of extensive resource consumption in the context of industrial revolution and military activities. Attention is given to the role of innovators in the sphere of environmental protection in Germany, founders of environmental movements, and protector of nature conservation areas. The article examines the first environmental normative legal acts and the first nature protection organizations in Germany. The author’s special contribution to studying the questions of environmental history consist in consideration of German experience as a country that in several decades managed to overcome environmental crisis, as well as gain the leading position in Europe and worldwide by a number of environmental indexes. The conclusion is made that Germany can be viewed as a country with invaluable practical and legal experience of protection of the environment with centuries-old history, which can be adopted by many countries. The author anticipates that with the strengthening of ecocentric approach, rationalization and optimization of natural resource management remains feasible in terms of regulated anthropogenic intervention.