Dove of Peace - photo: Vienna Frame - stock.adobe.com
As Germany’s largest environmental association, with 875,000 members and supporters, we are making a resolute and determined stand for peace. This is why we joined forces with numerous organizations and unions to call for a central demonstration on 27 February in Berlin. The message this sent was overwhelming: hundreds of thousands of people, including a large number of NABU members, demanded an end to the war. We would like thank everyone who has shown their support for peace at this and other demonstrations.
We are all deeply affected by the war in Ukraine. Until the end of February, it seemed unimaginable: a war in the middle of Europe. But times have changed. We are shocked to the core by the suffering of the people in Ukraine. At NABU, we have colleagues in Ukraine; many of us have family, friends and acquaintances from Ukraine or even in the war zone. It is important to us to send a strong message for peace!
Our thoughts are with our Ukrainian partners and staff, and we are in constant communication with them. We are talking to them on the phone and keeping in contact. And we are offering them any help we can give in these dark days. The same goes for our Russian partners and staff – in Russia alone, we currently have more than 20 projects underway. Breaking off or terminating these long-term projects and close partnerships would send the wrong message to our staff and fellow campaigners, in Germany, Russia, and Ukraine. Ever since it was founded, NABU has worked internationally, and we have weathered many a crisis. We want to try to keep our nature conservation projects going as far as possible. And we firmly believe that this war, like others, can only be settled in the long term with communication and dialogue.
Transcarpathia in Western Ukraine is considered the safest region in the country: More refugees arrive every day, many of them children. We are collecting donations for our Ukrainian partner IERS, which provides humanitarian aid on site since the beginning of the war. more →
At this time we need to remain calm and retain our humanity. We must not allow any space for sweeping generalizations and collective blame. This war has been started by an autocrat, but not in the name of a whole nation. There is courageous resistance to the attack on the Ukraine in Russia too. We support all people who are against this war – regardless of their nationality and passport. NABU has wonderful staff from Russia, Ukraine, and many other nations. We are united by a love of nature and a desire for peace.
Nature conservation and climate protection are now facing extreme and serious challenges. This war is a turning point. It will have direct, indirect and long-term effects on nature, on people, and on our security – we have only to think of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, the legacy of pollution left by munitions, and burning oil depots.
This war shows us, unmistakably, that we need to act fast to make Germany and the EU resistant to crises and prepared for the future. We will need to have discussions on security of supply, and on ending our dependence on imported fossil fuels. The restructuring of the economy required for this will be a huge effort – but climate protection and nature conservation must not be sacrificed! We will fight for this. At NABU we are committed to ensuring that this restructuring will happen fast but not without reflection. After all, climate protection and nature conservation are effective forms of crisis prevention. A decentralized energy supply with 100% renewables means freedom and independence. We will make sure that everyone understands this. Nature conservation and climate protection are crucial for peace, freedom and dialogue worldwide!
Video: BirdLife International / NABU is one of the oldest and largest BirdLife partners
From Baltic peatlands to bird migration over Mediterranean islands, NABU is actively involved in many nature conservation and environmental projects on the continent – together with its BirdLife Partners and other European networks. Through its political lobbying and campaigns NABU has influenced many important decisions. more →
In the Ukraine, NABU can rely on active animal support to protect important peatlands – in the 'Enchanted Land' National Park, beavers and their dams assist with the rewetting of precious peatlands, thereby fostering climate and species protection. more →
Intended as “a global rallying cry to heal our planet”, the UN has dedicated the years 2021 to 2030 to ecosystem restoration. Ringing in this next important chapter, it’s time to scale up action to save peatlands from degradation. Solutions are within reach. more →
