Munich - Environmental emergencies

Munich's wet climate and elevation of 530m above sea level make it fairly unsusceptible to fire and flood. Germany's tough recycling laws are enforced and diligently observed by Munchners. Despite an excellent public transport system, a fair percentage of the population prefers to drive to work, which can lead to SMOG polution days. Such days are signposted on streets and adverted on the radio, and traffic is heavily restricted.

In case of an environmental emergency (as you learn in the German driving test, even one drop of oil can pollute up to as much as 600 litres of water!) the following numbers are relevant:

Umwelttelefon (environmental emergency telephone number)
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 2332 6666

Naturschutzwacht (naturewatch)
Tel: + 49 (89) 233 276 56

Ölunfaelle (oil accidents)
Munich
Germany
Tel: 112

Umweltambulance Bayern (Bavarian environment ambulance)
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 2899 6545

Hochwassernachrichten (flood news)
Munich
Germany 
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 9214 1588

If services (e.g. electricity, water) have been disrupted, then the numbers to call are:

Erdgas (natural gas) 153 016
Lichtsignalanlagen, Strassenbeleuchtung (traffic lights and street lights) 121 412 47
Strom (electricity) 381 01 01
Wasser (water)  1820 52 or 2361 3378

There are several official and independent environmental organisations in Munich. The primary concerns of these organisations include reducing environmental pollution, energy conservation, developing renewable energies, nature conservation, monitoring genetic engineering and consumer protection.

Germany has a lot of nuclear power reactors, but there is a strong push to have these closed in preference for wind-powered generators.

Vehicle emissions are also very strictly monitored and contained.

Some of the environmental agencies in Munich include:

Münchner Umweltzentrum
Welserstr 15
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 696 026

Umweltschutzreferat städt.
Bayerstr 28a
Munich
Germany
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 2332 3603

Umweltinstitut München
Schwere-Reiter-Str. 35 / 1 b
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 3077 490
email: [email protected]
website: http://www.umweltinstitut.org/