10.05 #climate change #forest
Plans
by RWE to destroy most of the remaining forest to make way for an extension of
a lignite mine have triggered long-running protests by activists, with several
living in the woodlands in tree houses for more than six years to block
clearing activities. A petition that Association 3 Herissons has signed to was sent to German
Chancellor Angela Merkel today urging her to intervene in the escalating crisis
over the future of Hambach forest, and commit to a swift and just phase out of
coal in Germany.
On the same day, a court in the western German city of Münster told energy concern RWE that it must desist from clearing the 12,000-year-old Hambach Forest until a lawsuit brought by environmental organization BUND, the German branch of Friends of the Earth, has been decided. In its lawsuit opposing the forest's clearance, BUND has argued that the area falls under the EU's Habitats Directive because of its population of Bechstein's bats. The Habitats Directive aims to conserve endangered native animals and plants in Europe.
Association 3 Herissons look forward to the decision of the lawsuit and Ms Merkel's response.
For more details please refer to DW report.