{"id":2634,"date":"2019-02-01T16:12:11","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T16:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/?p=2634"},"modified":"2019-02-01T17:07:11","modified_gmt":"2019-02-01T17:07:11","slug":"referendum-could-save-bavarias-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalchangeecology.com\/2019\/02\/01\/referendum-could-save-bavarias-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Referendum could save Bavaria’s biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is a grey, cloudy afternoon, as it is often the case during winter in Bayreuth. But then, the sun breaks through the thick blanket of clouds. Thomas Pickel is sitting in front of the GEO building at the University of Bayreuth. When the sun is out, nothing could keep the 27-year-old student inside. When I ask him if he is sleeping at all these days, he answers \u201cNot really\u201d and laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason for his insomnia: Germany\u2019s insects. Or, to be more precise, their rescue. In October 2017, a study caused a huge uproar, stating that there was a decline of about 75% in all insects in protected areas. \u201cThis was when we said we have to do something\u201d, Thomas Pickel says, sipping his coffee. Together with eight other students, he founded \u201cSummer in the City\u201d<\/a>, a club for biodiversity protection based in Bayreuth. \u201cOver years, conservationists have tried to get the public\u2019s attention to the species decline. They chose symbolic animals to spread the message, like the White Stork or the wolf. It\u2019s kind of ironic that the smallest animals, the insects, are getting the attention now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The species decline of insects has been discussed in the media over and over ever since. Especially one kind of insects moved to the spotlight: bees. \u201cInsects might be small, but they make up a huge part of biomass and are incredibly important. In Germany alone, there are 48.000 different animal species – 33.000 of them are insects\u201d, Pickel says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the topic moved to the top of the discussion list. This could lead to fundamental changes: The referendum \u201cArtenvielfalt Rettet die Bienen!\u201d<\/a> (English: \u201cBiodiversity Save the bees!\u201d) enables elective citizen of the federal state of Bavaria to vote for new legislations on biodiversity protection. From January 31 to February 13, they have the chance to sign the referendum in city halls all across Bavaria.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
75% percent of all insects have disappeared. The referendum could stop this trend in Bavaria. Picture: Ivan Kornev \/ flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new legislation would for example include the prohibition of pesticides in biotopes, it would strengthen organic agriculture (until 2030, 30 percent of the Bavarian agriculture should be organic) and the protection of natural water bodies. \u201cIn all other 15 federal states of Germany, there is already a protection buffer of five meters around natural water bodies. It is prohibited to farm there as fertilizer and pesticides could flow into the water and disturb spawning species\u201d, Pickel says.<\/p>\n

He is confident that one million people will sign the petition. \u201cA friend recently asked 45 persons in the train if they knew about the referendum and if they would vote for it. More than 50 percent said yes\u201d, he says, eyes shining. He thinks it is crucial to motivate especially people in big cities, like in Munich or Nuremberg. In Bayreuth, the \u201cSummerer\u201d how Pickel and his friends from \u201cSummer in the city\u201d are sometimes called, hope to collect about 10,000 votes for the insects. Find more information here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

To reach this goal, they are mobilizing all across the city, distributing leaflets, fixing posters, talking to people. \u201cThese days, I guess I am racing around on my bike with about 40 kilometers per hour\u201d, Thomas Pickel says, laughing. A few days ago, he talked with the spokesman of the Bavarian farmers\u2019 association in a radio show. The farmers are currently the strongest opponents of the referendum. Their main argument: 30 percent of organic agriculture are not possible to achieve until 2030. \u201cThe referendum is definitely not against the famers and their needs. On the contrary, it shall bring the state to rethink and redirect agriculture\u201d, Pickel says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
About 25% of Austria’s arable land is used organically. Reference: Bio-Austria\u00a0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A good example for organic agriculture is Austria: in 2017, about 24 percent of the country\u2019s agriculture are already organic<\/a>, trend rising. This has been achieved by engaging cafeterias of schools, offices and companies to use organically produced groceries. \u201cRight now, we are destroying our biodiverse nature because we are spraying pesticides, killing everything, and intensifying the agricultural sector. The referendum is a desperate attempt to change this. Politicians are not doing anything, they are still just looking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In Bavaria, about 44% of the land surface are used for agriculture, with still relatively small-patched fields. Still, the species decline is especially high in agricultural areas. In general, Bavaria\u2019s farmers know as well that something has to change<\/a> in relation to biodiversity protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again and again, students are waving at Thomas Pickel, calling across the campus, asking him about details on the referendum. Under his cap, he is grinning, obviously happy about the fact that so many are interested in protecting nature. \u201cWe have to leave a beautiful world for our children and stop thinking \u201cAfter me, the deluge\u201d like generations before us did, not caring about anything. It is important for us to be sustainable. We don\u2019t want to destroy our planet!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is a grey, cloudy afternoon, as it is often the case during winter in Bayreuth. But then, the sun breaks through the thick blanket of clouds. Thomas Pickel is sitting in front of the GEO building at the University of Bayreuth. When the sun is out, nothing could keep the 27-year-old student inside. When […]<\/p>\n

Share this<\/div>