The recent reinstatement of mandatory military service in Germany is prompting renewed calls for a corresponding civilian service program, with a leading voice now advocating for the inclusion of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) as a potential placement provider. Jörg-Andreas Krüger, President of NABU, stated in an interview with T-Online that a mandatory civilian service, offering opportunities within organizations like NABU, warrants serious consideration.
Krüger expressed a personal belief in the transformative potential of civilian service, drawing on his own experiences. He emphasized the looming societal pressures from climate change, citing escalating risks of drought, wildfires and extreme rainfall as reasons for a shift towards greater ecological resilience. Integrating a dedicated focus on environmental protection and conservation within a structured civilian service program, he argued, would be a strategically valuable investment in the nation’s future preparedness.
However, Krüger’s advocacy is interwoven with a stark warning regarding the rising political polarization impacting environmental activism. He explicitly ruled out any collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), citing the party’s consistent rejection of NABU’s work, its questioning of established climate science – specifically anthropogenic climate change – and its recurrent attacks on environmental organizations.
NABU’s volunteer network, the cornerstone of its operations, is increasingly facing hostility, ranging from local opposition to the organization’s very existence to verbal abuse and attempts by AfD members to co-opt local initiatives. Krüger underscored the necessity of protecting volunteers from being drawn into political confrontations, especially in regions like Eastern Germany where the pressure is notably intense. “We don’t want to force anyone into confrontations” he stated, “but in some regions, the pressure is particularly high and we understand that”. The situation raises broader concerns about the vulnerability of civil society organizations operating in a politically charged climate and highlights the challenges in navigating the increasingly fractured landscape of German public discourse.
