<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Hambacher Forst (B\u00fcrge Wald by its traditional name) is a very beautiful with diverse old and high trees. What struck me was the sound \u2013 or rather the absence of it. I could barely hear or see any birds or other animals. What I did hear was a distant dull rattling rumbling clatter. It came from the coal conveyor belts in the open-pit lignite mine. The brim is only a five-minute walk away from the tree houses.<\/p>\n
A Forest from the Ice Age – Logged within 40 Years<\/strong><\/h2>\nSince the Ice Age there has always been forest at this place. According to European standards it should be protected under the Habitats Directive (Flora Fauna Habitat Richtlinie). The forest is a rare combination of lilies of the valley, pedunculate oak and hornbeam (Maigl\u00f6ckchen-Stieleichen-Hainbuchenwald). Some rare animals live in it and under the habitat directive their biotope should be protected. However, in the 1970s, the government decided to give the forest to the power provider RWE Power AG to excavate brown coal. Since then RWE logged some 90% of the Hambacher Forst, as the activists estimate.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Colorful](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_120.jpg?fit=150%2C84\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tColorful House on the Meadow\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Solar](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_119.jpg?fit=150%2C116\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNow they have electricity in the forest!\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"All](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_117.jpg?fit=150%2C84\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGraffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly…\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_116.jpg?fit=150%2C84\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe meadow of Hambacher Forst\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nThe BUND, a major German environmental NGO, tries to fight RWE on legal means. For example they bought a piece of land that is supposed to be dug away and refuse to sell it to RWE. They won a similar legal case before, but by the time of the rendition of judgement RWE had already removed the meadow.<\/p>\n
Tree Houses for Hambacher Forst Protection<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe forest occupiers are the people on the ground. They live in small tree house communities with names like Gallien, Monkey Town or Oak Town. Most of the houses are some 15-20 meters above ground. Good climbing skills are inevitable to reach them. Some guest houses are accessible by a ladder.<\/p>\n
Among the forest occupiers there are anarchists, punks, anti-fascists and other very left activists. Before I came to the forest I was not sure if they welcomed people from the outside. The media often mention the brutality of the activists. Videos and pictures in the internet prove a certain level of violence from both, the activists as well as RWE security forces and the police.<\/p>\n
The graffiti\u2019s on campervans on a meadow outside the forest don\u2019t exactly look inviting. Coming to the settlements in the Hambacher Forst felt a bit like entering somebody else\u2019s home. At first I asked where I was allowed to pee and how everything works. Then I understood that in anarchist structures it\u2019s all about self-management with regard to the well-being of others. No rules, no hierarchy.<\/p>\n
At the same time there is this constant fear of the police and RWE\u2019s private security forces. Paranoia is also an issue. People give themselves creative nick-names so nobody will know who they really are. An activist told me that he knows that among his \u201cfriends\u201d there is at least one who is not a friend but a police spy. Others were worried about showing their tattoos when walking down public streets.<\/p>\n
Water Level Dropped Significantly Due to Mine<\/strong><\/h2>\nDespite these fears I experienced the activists as extremely friendly and loving people, caring for each other and anyone who comes from the outside to support their cause. People share a lot. Many are vegans because they don\u2019t want to harm any animals. They don\u2019t even use firewood that could have a bug or worm inside.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Well](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_142.jpg?fit=84%2C150\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWell Equipped Sanctuaries\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Another](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_141.jpg?fit=150%2C84\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAnother House in the Tree\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_137.jpg?fit=84%2C150\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tForest Community\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_136.jpg?fit=150%2C84\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tForest Community hard at work\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nLife in the forest feels free. At the same time it is not easy at all. There is no water source. The ground-water level dropped due to the RWE pumps that keep the pit dry. A close-by lake dried out completely. Activists have to carry all the water that local supporters donate into the forest. It\u2019s ten-minute walk from the road without carrying anything.\u00a0However, they do log small trees to build tree houses.<\/p>\n
The Occupation Alone Will Not Save the Forest<\/h2>\n
And this is not my only criticism of the occupiers: Sometimes I wondered what was really the purpose of their activism. If it was really for the trees I think they could do a lot more than just building tree houses. This form of activism will not change anything. The occupiers are mainly busy preparing for the big day when the police come to evict them.<\/p>\n
And yet: even today it is already totally clear how the encounter with the police will end. The police have orders and they will carry them out. They are not the right ones to discuss climate change and the importance of trees. Even if the particular police men and women who will be in the forest at that time are tree lovers they will agree with the occupiers that logging the forest is not good for climate or society. But the police are people who have, at one point in their lives, agreed to carry out orders, no matter what. So why focus all time and resources towards the combats with the police? It is the general public that needs to be reminded of what is going on. Only if many, many people put these topics back on the political and medial agendas there is hope for the forest!<\/p>\n
All Private Forests in Germany are Open to the Public<\/strong><\/h2>\nHowever, being in the forest or building tree houses there is not illegal: In Germany every forest, even privately owned ones, have to be open to the public for recreational purposes, according to the federal forest law (Bundeswaldgesetz). At the time of law-making, nobody thought about tree houses. There is no law that forbids erecting tree houses in forests for recreational or other purposes.<\/p>\n
Go For Winter Forest Walks to Protect Trees!!<\/strong><\/h2>\nWalking in the forest is not illegal. In fact everybody could just legally go for a walk in the Hambacher Forst during the winter time (logging season). With hundreds of people in the forest, no tree will be killed. Although the tree houses are an important step to draw the attention of the public to the forest, they will not save the trees. The police have orders. They will clear the tree houses. It will just take a bit longer if activists lock themselves to the trees. But the result of any police combat is already clear: the activists will be carried away and the trees will be logged. Only a lot of public attention and many, many people in the forest can now make a difference and really protect the trees. So, go for your legal forest walk in the Hambacher Forst this winter!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BUND Information Material<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe environmental protection organization BUND beautifully researched and summarized the situation: https:\/\/www.bund-nrw.de\/fileadmin\/nrw\/dokumente\/braunkohle\/2008__BUNDhintergrund_energy_production_vs_natural_heritage_COP9.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sign up for the Student of the World Newsletter\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Picture Gallery<\/h2>\n ![\"Solar](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_119.jpg?w=241&h=187\" "\\"Solar")
<\/a> Now they have electricity in the forest! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"campervans](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_118.jpg?w=399&h=187\" "\\"Meadow")
<\/a> The meadow is private property of a forest supporter. RWE wants to buy it by all means and pushes for disappropriation. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"All](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_117.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"Not")
<\/a> Graffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_116.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"The")
<\/a> The meadow of Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_115.jpg?w=644&h=113\" "\\"The")
<\/a> Only around 10 percent of the ancient forest are left. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Excavator](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_114.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"Excavator")
<\/a> Excavator and power plants. Coal conveyor belt in the foreground. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Coal](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_113.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"Nature")
<\/a> Coal Excavator with sunflowers <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"00_HambacherFors_Titelt_112\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_112.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"00_HambacherFors_Titelt_112\\"")
<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Lignite](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_111.jpg?w=320&h=180\" "\\"Lignite")
<\/a> This used to be a forest – since the last ice age <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Lignite](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_110.jpg?w=214&h=121\" "\\"Lignite")
<\/a> Lignite turning into energy. The technology needs tax payers’ subventions. It is not profitable. <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_109.jpg?w=214&h=120\" "\\"Giant")
<\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_108.jpg?w=214&h=120\" "\\"Giant")
<\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Young](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_107.jpg?w=208&h=369\" "\\"Young")
<\/a> Nature’s strong will for survival! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"tree](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_106.jpg?w=214&h=121\" "\\"Once")
<\/a> Once upon a time there was a tree and a tree house on it… <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Logged](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_105.jpg?w=214&h=120\" "\\"Logged")
<\/a> Logged trees in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> ![\"OnCe](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_104.jpg?w=214&h=120\" "\\"OnCe")
<\/a> OnCe a mighty tree… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Cleared](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_101-1.jpg?w=391&h=220\" "\\"Cleared")
<\/a> Logs from the last clearance. Open-cast lignite pit in the background <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Tree](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_144.jpg?w=391&h=219\" "\\"Tree")
<\/a> Tree Houses – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Tree](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_143.jpg?w=249&h=443\" "\\"High")
<\/a> Tree House – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Well](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_142.jpg?w=179&h=318\" "\\"Well")
<\/a> Well Equipped Sanctuaries <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Another](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_141.jpg?w=278&h=157\" "\\"Another")
<\/a> Another House in the Tree <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Tree](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_140.jpg?w=278&h=157\" "\\"Tree")
<\/a> Tree House in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"00_HambacherFors_Titelt_138\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_138.jpg?w=179&h=318\" "\\"00_HambacherFors_Titelt_138\\"")
<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_137.jpg?w=314&h=558\" "\\"Forest")
<\/a> Forest Community <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_136.jpg?w=326&h=184\" "\\"Forest")
<\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_135.jpg?w=326&h=183\" "\\"Forest")
<\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Wonderful\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_134.jpg?w=326&h=183\" "\\"Wonderful\\"")
<\/a> Wonderful <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Tree](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_133.jpg?w=275&h=154\" "\\"Tree")
<\/a> Tree House Construction <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Wonderful](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_132.jpg?w=87&h=154\" "\\"Wonderful")
<\/a> Wonderful Tree House in a Beautiful Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Beauty](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_131.jpg?w=274&h=154\" "\\"Beauty")
<\/a> Beauty in and out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Forest](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_128.jpg?w=644&h=258\" "\\"Forest")
<\/a> Forest Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Barricades](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_127.jpg?w=249&h=443\" "\\"Barricades")
<\/a> Barricades against police and RWE security… and a Heart <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Barricades](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_126.jpg?w=391&h=220\" "\\"Barricades\\"")
<\/a> Barricades at Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> ![\"Qualifies](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.studentoftheworld.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/00_HambacherFors_Titelt_125.jpg?w=391&h=219\" "\\"Qualifies")
<\/a> The Hambacher Forst qualifies for protection through the EU by the Flora Fauna Habitat directive, but Germany didn’t ask the EU for protection, so the forest can freely be logged. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tThe BUND, a major German environmental NGO, tries to fight RWE on legal means. For example they bought a piece of land that is supposed to be dug away and refuse to sell it to RWE. They won a similar legal case before, but by the time of the rendition of judgement RWE had already removed the meadow.<\/p>\n
Tree Houses for Hambacher Forst Protection<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe forest occupiers are the people on the ground. They live in small tree house communities with names like Gallien, Monkey Town or Oak Town. Most of the houses are some 15-20 meters above ground. Good climbing skills are inevitable to reach them. Some guest houses are accessible by a ladder.<\/p>\n
Among the forest occupiers there are anarchists, punks, anti-fascists and other very left activists. Before I came to the forest I was not sure if they welcomed people from the outside. The media often mention the brutality of the activists. Videos and pictures in the internet prove a certain level of violence from both, the activists as well as RWE security forces and the police.<\/p>\n
The graffiti\u2019s on campervans on a meadow outside the forest don\u2019t exactly look inviting. Coming to the settlements in the Hambacher Forst felt a bit like entering somebody else\u2019s home. At first I asked where I was allowed to pee and how everything works. Then I understood that in anarchist structures it\u2019s all about self-management with regard to the well-being of others. No rules, no hierarchy.<\/p>\n
At the same time there is this constant fear of the police and RWE\u2019s private security forces. Paranoia is also an issue. People give themselves creative nick-names so nobody will know who they really are. An activist told me that he knows that among his \u201cfriends\u201d there is at least one who is not a friend but a police spy. Others were worried about showing their tattoos when walking down public streets.<\/p>\n
Water Level Dropped Significantly Due to Mine<\/strong><\/h2>\nDespite these fears I experienced the activists as extremely friendly and loving people, caring for each other and anyone who comes from the outside to support their cause. People share a lot. Many are vegans because they don\u2019t want to harm any animals. They don\u2019t even use firewood that could have a bug or worm inside.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWell Equipped Sanctuaries\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAnother House in the Tree\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tForest Community\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tForest Community hard at work\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nLife in the forest feels free. At the same time it is not easy at all. There is no water source. The ground-water level dropped due to the RWE pumps that keep the pit dry. A close-by lake dried out completely. Activists have to carry all the water that local supporters donate into the forest. It\u2019s ten-minute walk from the road without carrying anything.\u00a0However, they do log small trees to build tree houses.<\/p>\n
The Occupation Alone Will Not Save the Forest<\/h2>\n
And this is not my only criticism of the occupiers: Sometimes I wondered what was really the purpose of their activism. If it was really for the trees I think they could do a lot more than just building tree houses. This form of activism will not change anything. The occupiers are mainly busy preparing for the big day when the police come to evict them.<\/p>\n
And yet: even today it is already totally clear how the encounter with the police will end. The police have orders and they will carry them out. They are not the right ones to discuss climate change and the importance of trees. Even if the particular police men and women who will be in the forest at that time are tree lovers they will agree with the occupiers that logging the forest is not good for climate or society. But the police are people who have, at one point in their lives, agreed to carry out orders, no matter what. So why focus all time and resources towards the combats with the police? It is the general public that needs to be reminded of what is going on. Only if many, many people put these topics back on the political and medial agendas there is hope for the forest!<\/p>\n
All Private Forests in Germany are Open to the Public<\/strong><\/h2>\nHowever, being in the forest or building tree houses there is not illegal: In Germany every forest, even privately owned ones, have to be open to the public for recreational purposes, according to the federal forest law (Bundeswaldgesetz). At the time of law-making, nobody thought about tree houses. There is no law that forbids erecting tree houses in forests for recreational or other purposes.<\/p>\n
Go For Winter Forest Walks to Protect Trees!!<\/strong><\/h2>\nWalking in the forest is not illegal. In fact everybody could just legally go for a walk in the Hambacher Forst during the winter time (logging season). With hundreds of people in the forest, no tree will be killed. Although the tree houses are an important step to draw the attention of the public to the forest, they will not save the trees. The police have orders. They will clear the tree houses. It will just take a bit longer if activists lock themselves to the trees. But the result of any police combat is already clear: the activists will be carried away and the trees will be logged. Only a lot of public attention and many, many people in the forest can now make a difference and really protect the trees. So, go for your legal forest walk in the Hambacher Forst this winter!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BUND Information Material<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe environmental protection organization BUND beautifully researched and summarized the situation: https:\/\/www.bund-nrw.de\/fileadmin\/nrw\/dokumente\/braunkohle\/2008__BUNDhintergrund_energy_production_vs_natural_heritage_COP9.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sign up for the Student of the World Newsletter\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Picture Gallery<\/h2>\n <\/a> Now they have electricity in the forest! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow is private property of a forest supporter. RWE wants to buy it by all means and pushes for disappropriation. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Graffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow of Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Only around 10 percent of the ancient forest are left. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Excavator and power plants. Coal conveyor belt in the foreground. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Coal Excavator with sunflowers <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> This used to be a forest – since the last ice age <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Lignite turning into energy. The technology needs tax payers’ subventions. It is not profitable. <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Nature’s strong will for survival! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Once upon a time there was a tree and a tree house on it… <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logged trees in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> OnCe a mighty tree… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logs from the last clearance. Open-cast lignite pit in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree Houses – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Well Equipped Sanctuaries <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Another House in the Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House Construction <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful Tree House in a Beautiful Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Beauty in and out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades against police and RWE security… and a Heart <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades at Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The Hambacher Forst qualifies for protection through the EU by the Flora Fauna Habitat directive, but Germany didn’t ask the EU for protection, so the forest can freely be logged. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
Despite these fears I experienced the activists as extremely friendly and loving people, caring for each other and anyone who comes from the outside to support their cause. People share a lot. Many are vegans because they don\u2019t want to harm any animals. They don\u2019t even use firewood that could have a bug or worm inside.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tLife in the forest feels free. At the same time it is not easy at all. There is no water source. The ground-water level dropped due to the RWE pumps that keep the pit dry. A close-by lake dried out completely. Activists have to carry all the water that local supporters donate into the forest. It\u2019s ten-minute walk from the road without carrying anything.\u00a0However, they do log small trees to build tree houses.<\/p>\n
The Occupation Alone Will Not Save the Forest<\/h2>\n
And this is not my only criticism of the occupiers: Sometimes I wondered what was really the purpose of their activism. If it was really for the trees I think they could do a lot more than just building tree houses. This form of activism will not change anything. The occupiers are mainly busy preparing for the big day when the police come to evict them.<\/p>\n
And yet: even today it is already totally clear how the encounter with the police will end. The police have orders and they will carry them out. They are not the right ones to discuss climate change and the importance of trees. Even if the particular police men and women who will be in the forest at that time are tree lovers they will agree with the occupiers that logging the forest is not good for climate or society. But the police are people who have, at one point in their lives, agreed to carry out orders, no matter what. So why focus all time and resources towards the combats with the police? It is the general public that needs to be reminded of what is going on. Only if many, many people put these topics back on the political and medial agendas there is hope for the forest!<\/p>\n
All Private Forests in Germany are Open to the Public<\/strong><\/h2>\nHowever, being in the forest or building tree houses there is not illegal: In Germany every forest, even privately owned ones, have to be open to the public for recreational purposes, according to the federal forest law (Bundeswaldgesetz). At the time of law-making, nobody thought about tree houses. There is no law that forbids erecting tree houses in forests for recreational or other purposes.<\/p>\n
Go For Winter Forest Walks to Protect Trees!!<\/strong><\/h2>\nWalking in the forest is not illegal. In fact everybody could just legally go for a walk in the Hambacher Forst during the winter time (logging season). With hundreds of people in the forest, no tree will be killed. Although the tree houses are an important step to draw the attention of the public to the forest, they will not save the trees. The police have orders. They will clear the tree houses. It will just take a bit longer if activists lock themselves to the trees. But the result of any police combat is already clear: the activists will be carried away and the trees will be logged. Only a lot of public attention and many, many people in the forest can now make a difference and really protect the trees. So, go for your legal forest walk in the Hambacher Forst this winter!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BUND Information Material<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe environmental protection organization BUND beautifully researched and summarized the situation: https:\/\/www.bund-nrw.de\/fileadmin\/nrw\/dokumente\/braunkohle\/2008__BUNDhintergrund_energy_production_vs_natural_heritage_COP9.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sign up for the Student of the World Newsletter\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Picture Gallery<\/h2>\n <\/a> Now they have electricity in the forest! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow is private property of a forest supporter. RWE wants to buy it by all means and pushes for disappropriation. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Graffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow of Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Only around 10 percent of the ancient forest are left. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Excavator and power plants. Coal conveyor belt in the foreground. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Coal Excavator with sunflowers <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> This used to be a forest – since the last ice age <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Lignite turning into energy. The technology needs tax payers’ subventions. It is not profitable. <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Nature’s strong will for survival! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Once upon a time there was a tree and a tree house on it… <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logged trees in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> OnCe a mighty tree… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logs from the last clearance. Open-cast lignite pit in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree Houses – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Well Equipped Sanctuaries <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Another House in the Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House Construction <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful Tree House in a Beautiful Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Beauty in and out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades against police and RWE security… and a Heart <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades at Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The Hambacher Forst qualifies for protection through the EU by the Flora Fauna Habitat directive, but Germany didn’t ask the EU for protection, so the forest can freely be logged. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
Walking in the forest is not illegal. In fact everybody could just legally go for a walk in the Hambacher Forst during the winter time (logging season). With hundreds of people in the forest, no tree will be killed. Although the tree houses are an important step to draw the attention of the public to the forest, they will not save the trees. The police have orders. They will clear the tree houses. It will just take a bit longer if activists lock themselves to the trees. But the result of any police combat is already clear: the activists will be carried away and the trees will be logged. Only a lot of public attention and many, many people in the forest can now make a difference and really protect the trees. So, go for your legal forest walk in the Hambacher Forst this winter!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BUND Information Material<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe environmental protection organization BUND beautifully researched and summarized the situation: https:\/\/www.bund-nrw.de\/fileadmin\/nrw\/dokumente\/braunkohle\/2008__BUNDhintergrund_energy_production_vs_natural_heritage_COP9.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sign up for the Student of the World Newsletter\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Picture Gallery<\/h2>\n <\/a> Now they have electricity in the forest! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow is private property of a forest supporter. RWE wants to buy it by all means and pushes for disappropriation. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Graffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow of Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Only around 10 percent of the ancient forest are left. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Excavator and power plants. Coal conveyor belt in the foreground. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Coal Excavator with sunflowers <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> This used to be a forest – since the last ice age <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Lignite turning into energy. The technology needs tax payers’ subventions. It is not profitable. <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Nature’s strong will for survival! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Once upon a time there was a tree and a tree house on it… <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logged trees in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> OnCe a mighty tree… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logs from the last clearance. Open-cast lignite pit in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree Houses – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Well Equipped Sanctuaries <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Another House in the Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House Construction <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful Tree House in a Beautiful Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Beauty in and out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades against police and RWE security… and a Heart <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades at Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The Hambacher Forst qualifies for protection through the EU by the Flora Fauna Habitat directive, but Germany didn’t ask the EU for protection, so the forest can freely be logged. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
<\/p>\n
Sign up for the Student of the World Newsletter\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Picture Gallery<\/h2>\n <\/a> Now they have electricity in the forest! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow is private property of a forest supporter. RWE wants to buy it by all means and pushes for disappropriation. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Graffitis on the campervans are not always that friendly… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The meadow of Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Only around 10 percent of the ancient forest are left. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Excavator and power plants. Coal conveyor belt in the foreground. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Coal Excavator with sunflowers <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> This used to be a forest – since the last ice age <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Lignite turning into energy. The technology needs tax payers’ subventions. It is not profitable. <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The conveyor belts transport the coal out of the pit so it arrives quickly in power plants in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Nature’s strong will for survival! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Once upon a time there was a tree and a tree house on it… <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logged trees in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> OnCe a mighty tree… <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Logs from the last clearance. Open-cast lignite pit in the background <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree Houses – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House – Sanctuaries in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Well Equipped Sanctuaries <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Another House in the Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House in Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Community hard at work <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Tree House Construction <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Wonderful Tree House in a Beautiful Tree <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Beauty in and out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Forest Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades against police and RWE security… and a Heart <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> Barricades at Hambacher Forst <\/div> <\/div> <\/a> The Hambacher Forst qualifies for protection through the EU by the Flora Fauna Habitat directive, but Germany didn’t ask the EU for protection, so the forest can freely be logged. <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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