European Railroad Discussion > Harz Mountain Forest Destruction in Germany

Just saw some recent "driver's view" videos of the steam powered Harzquerbahn line from Nordhausen to Drei Annen Hohne in Germany.  Huge tracts of forest have been leveled, many with the work in progress as viewed from the train.   This seems quite contrary to a country trying to keep a "green" image.   Does anyone know what's behind this leveling of hugh tracts of forest?

Got my curiosity up. Here is a good article:

Germany’s trees are dying. A fierce debate has broken out over how to respond | Science | AAAS

We also have increase wood burning since Germany lost its source of cheap natural gas:

Firewood demand rises in Germany because of energy crisis fears - Vox

I don't see how burning biomass helps being green. Here is an article on wood pellet usage:

Stockpiling wood in fear of gas shortage – DW – 07/26/2022



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/23 19:16 by ts1457.

Thanks for this extensive information.  Quite a complex issue.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Got my curiosity up. Here is a good article:
>
> Germany’s trees are dying. A fierce debate has
> broken out over how to respond | Science | AAAS
>
> We also have increase wood burning since Germany
> lost its source of cheap natural gas:
>
> Firewood demand rises in Germany because of energy
> crisis fears - Vox
>
> I don't see how burning biomass helps being green.
> Here is an article on wood pellet usage:
>
> Stockpiling wood in fear of gas shortage – DW
> – 07/26/2022


Peoples commitment to being "Green" starts falling off when their house is cold.