BREATHE PURE AND LIVE LONG WHEN IN GERMANY

Fog was cold but smog is lung cancer. Music soothes but traffic chokes. Mountain water is pure but don’t drink from the tap or you’ll be in the hospital. Go out for a breath of fresh air and you’ll feel fine, but wait- is the air clean at night? These issues may be partially associated with the developing world and when you really haven’t put on the lid with pollution levels going through the roof in the country. Can you really run the Delhi marathon when you’re inhaling cigarettes from the air or when in Lahore should you care more about ground security rather than securing pure air when hosting a tournament final. In fact, can we appreciate the river Tigris near Baghdad without noticing the disturbing pollutants flowing with the seemingly steady stream of water? Are there countries in the world that really care about health and longer living over corporate profits and rapid industrialization? Well, to name a country that’s fighting global pollution and global warming one nation does come to mind- Germany.

Leading the drive towards renewable energy in Europe is Germany. In fact, amongst the chief proponents of environmentally friendly climate policies is also Germany as seen by the contributions made in international environmental summits such as the Paris Climate talks. By the first half of 2017, the German government managed to shift 35% of the nation’s energy production to renewable in its effort to permanently phasing out from nuclear energy production targeted for 2020. The German people seem to be good at meeting deadlines just as they’re punctual with a culture of impoliteness and displeasure for even being the slightest bit of late for meetings/events. The German people don’t just talk; they vigorously pursue their dreams and passions. Visitors and tourists were found mesmerized to see dustless streets in Dortmund, Cologne and North Rhine- Westphalia with practically no littering and the elderly offering to pick up any litter accidentally left in the alleys or streets of Frankfurt. It’s not just the people who’re so nitty-gritty with cleanliness and hygiene; it’s the government and the nation at large and at it together! Consider the model city of Freiburg in Germany. With eco-housing and eco-neighborhoods, car free neighborhoods and a socially conscious neighborhood, it’s already being dubbed as the world’s greenest cities (much needed wakeup call China and the US). Though some reports of the World Health Organization find that minor noise pollution may come into play into the bigger German cities such as Frankfurt, we may dismiss it as oddities that shall fade in coming times.

So, a question begs to be asked for all of you. Don’t you the readers want to live in a world of pure air, clean water, clear roads and healthy living? In particular, if you’re a specialized skillful software expert, did you know that Germany really needs you right now? Job trends show that programs such as ‘Make It in Germany’, ‘BITKOM’ and ‘Digital Agenda’ and low- skill supply of software/IT specialists, Germany needs your expertise and help. Even if you don’t find much charm in Germany with its picturesque castles and European allures, don’t you want to breathe pure and right and possibly want your family to breathe healthy and live long. It may be a big ask for asking you to come to Germany but with the foreseeable rise in pollution control, stronger green living standards and minimal damages from global warming, Germany seems a good place to start a new life and work where you’re valued. At least you’ll know you’re breathing healthy, drinking safe while knowing the future is bright and the sky shall remain clear and blue!