In the framework of our editorial mission Green Europe on the Ground , cafebabel.com is sending 40 young journalists, photographers, photojournalists or videomakers 'on the ground'. The aim is to uncover the most innovative initiatives defining a city in our 'green Europe'. We're all fighting climate change!



Berlin, a dizzyingly green capital of Europe

Europe’s major female leader is a former environment minister herself. Has Angela Merkel learnt nothing? In 2011, Germany has regional elections in a mighty 7 of its 16 federal states. Showtime is on 27 March in Baden-Wurtemberg, where the German chancellor’s christian democrat party looks set to lose its 58-year rule. A green issue threatens those in power: nuclear-sceptic citizens are fighting the nuclear policy. The politicisation of citizens in Stuttgart reaches the capital, where Berliners vote in their first successful green referendum. The people’s green power is everywhere, from gastronomy and ‘city agriculture’ to nightlife and entertainment. cafebabel.com meets guerilla gardeners, vegans, green clubbers and a token expat Australian who has launched his own environmentally-friendly version of WikiLeaks. As Berlin keeps modernising and turning everything in its sights green - like the famous Berlinale film festival - Europe’s other capitals will have a hard time catching up. Third edition in a 2011 monthly series, ‘Green Europe on the ground’ (Image (cc) Neromonga/ Flickr)

REPORT Berlin citizen power: GreenLeaks, Stuttgart 21 and water privatisation

Berlin citizen power: GreenLeaks, Stuttgart 21 and water privatisation

One of Europe's most politicised and strictly environmentally-ruled cities is home to a green-themed Wikileaks spin-off, run by an Australian documentary maker. The mood for disclosure is also celebrated in the annual film festival, which has incorporated the city's first successful referendum into its programme

by Nabeelah Shabbir @ // 14/03/11

julian assange, water, berlin, cities, activism, cinema, green europe on the ground, berlinale, society

INVESTIGATION From Libya via Japan: Germany still opts for nuclear energy

From Libya via Japan: Germany still opts for nuclear energy

In the midst of a revolutionary wave across the oil countries, some European leaders propose increasing the production of nuclear energy to limit their dependency on oil and to guarantee a stable energy supply at competitive prices. Over in Germany, Angela Merkel has ordered safety checks on 17 of the 144 reactors running in the EU, after the Japanese earthquake of March saw two nuclear plant blasts. What nuclear future does Germany have?

by Concha Hierro @ // 14/03/11

berlin, politics, green europe on the ground, society, oil

REPORT Green dancefloors Berlin: spread the eco-dance germ to Europe

Green dancefloors Berlin: spread the eco-dance germ to Europe

When it comes to ‘green’ music, you will have heard of the WATT club in Rotterdam with its Sustainable Dance Floor. But apart from that symbolic rather than effective initiative, saving energy in clubs and festivals remains a wasteland ripe for development. A few pioneers in Berlin are determined to crack that apple

by mélanie de Groot van Embden @ // 14/03/11

music, berlin, nightlife, greenhouse effect, green europe on the ground, culture, youth, party, society

INVESTIGATION Guerrilla gardening Berlin: fighting capitalism

Guerrilla gardening Berlin: fighting capitalism

Are they squatters? Ecologists? Do they fire flowers instead of bullets? Do they wear masks and secretly plant seeds? A tour around Berlin’s squares and avenues to get to grips with a popular initiative designed to cultivate organic culture in our cities

by ester arauzo @ // 07/03/11

berlin, ecology, lifestyle, green europe on the ground, society

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