The fight against pollution begins

The West German government passes its first Environmental Protection Act

The West German “economic miracle” of the 1950s brought economic growth but also large-scale pollution of the air, water and soil. The social–liberal coalition, elected under Chancellor Brandt in 1970, recognized the need for action and proceeded to pass the necessary legislation. The first was the Act on Protection against Aircraft Noise of 30 March 1971, followed by the Waste Disposal Act and a number of other laws. 1974 saw the establishment of the Federal Environment Agency, given responsibility for enforcing all this new legislation.

Although the East German government also saw the need for action, it faced a greater challenge. Its relatively backward industry was far dirtier than western factories, and the DDR lacked the financial resources to invest in new plant. Recognizing the mounting environmental problems, the state passed environmental protection legislation in the 1970s, also establishing the Ministry for Environmental Protection and Water Management. However, since it lacked the money to invest in real change, and realizing that its efforts to reduce pollution and clean up the environment would never be sufficient, the East German government decided on a cover-up. Environmental data was established as a state secret and the activities of the nascent environmental movement were repressed. The result was unchecked pollution and widespread environmental damage.