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Yesterday German newspaper "Die Welt" revealed that the eco-organization "Deutsche Umwelthilfe" (DUH/German Environment Aid) accepted money from big business. In 2004, car filter producers alone donated 100,000 Euro (130,000 USD) to the organisation. According to DUH, its annual budget is 2.5 million Euro (3.25 million USD).
Since the beginning of this year, DUH activists appeared in the German media almost daily to demand legislation that would force German automakers to install new filter technologies in their cars.
In Berlin and Munich "Umwelthilfe" supported "concerned citizens" in legal action's brought after city administrations could not keep up with newly imposed EU-limits on micro-dust in the air. As a result, German automakers announced they would equip all diesel cars and vans with soot filters.
For many idealistic supporters of environmental groups (among them many journalists) discovering that "green" groups take donations from industry comes as a big surprise. Before that, many (including Butikofer, the Chairman of the Green Party) were wondering why other environmental groups were hesitant to demand soot filters. It must be shocking for them to see the carefully constructed David versus Goliath image of a youthful and idealistic environmental movement tarnished, if not destroyed.
That is particularly true for DUH, an organisation that has entered its twilight. Since the late 90s, the "Umwelthilfe" provided consultation services to DaimlerChrysler, Germany's biggest car producer. Every year, the progress of this company according to environmentalist's own reports, was certified by DUH itself.
The result was an annual "Report on the Environment," evaluating DaimlerChrysler's environmental strategy. It seems likely that "Umwelthilfe" did not prepare the report free of charge, even if they now purport to have never received donations from car makers. We can likewise assume that this report was intended to be a slick part of DaimlerChrysler's environmental strategy, designed by very slick PR strategists.
The strategy failed. The environmentalists' certificate failed to redeem the carmaker's sins. In 2003, when DaimlerChrysler's last report was not even compiled, "Umwelthilfe" contacted filter producers to develop an anti-diesel campaign directed against the automaker. Overnight makers of cars became demons, while filter producers were now presented as planetary saviours.
The idea that environmentalists often pursue their own materialistic interests, or those of business, rather than the interests of consumers or "mother nature," is new to much of the German and European public. For many, this is the first time the hidden agenda of many "green" groups lies exposed. It is likely only a matter of time before other hidden parts of the "green" agenda are likewise exposed as contradictory to the interests of the general public. We should no longer allow them to cloak their intentions in mystery.
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