When Russia invaded neighboring Georgia, European countries condemned the Russian aggression, but they did so in a way that left many observers wondering why they did not condemn Russia stronger. Especially Germany responded moderately to Russia’s latest act of imperialism, and Angela Merkel became the first leader (of the West) to restore the relationship with Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin shortly after.

Many wondered why Germany refused to speak out against Russia’s aggression. Why did Germany let Russia get away with its invasion of Georgia, an ally of the West? The reason is simple: Germany (and other European countries for that matter) are highly dependent on Russia for gas.  40% of Germany’s energy needs are taken care of by Russia. In the coming years, Russia’s importance is likely to increase. They are working on a new gasline that would make it easier for Russia to export gas directly to central European countries, Germany will benefit from that pipeline.

This is why Germany quickly forgave Russia when it invaded Georgia, when it bullied Ukraine, and when it punished the Czech Republic for agreeing to host part of the U.S. made missile defense system, which would deter Russia from using force against its neighbors.

The strange thing, however, is that there is no need for Germany to be dependent on Russia for its energy. It has big gas reserves itself, and it can take care of most of its energy needs by other means, especially nuclear energy. If Germany would use its potential to the fullest, it would not be dependent on Russia and it would have to spend less money on energy.

As such, it makes a lot of sense for Germany to kick off a major project aimed at becoming energy independent, or at least independent from Russia. This would not be a pipedream for German; it is a goal they could most certainly reach.

However, in order for Germany to do so it’s lawmakers will have to put environmentalists in their place. The reason Germany is as dependent on Russia as it is, is because it has given in to environmentalists too often. These enlightened souls who would rather make their country dependent on an aggressive and blackmailing Russia than fully independent oppose all nuclear energy and have even succeeded in getting Berlin to agree to break with all nuclear energy by 2020.

These individuals are opposed to producing energy themselves, as long as it is not solar or wind based. Germany has gas reserves, but these activists are not willing to let the government use them. Instead, they simply favor using Russia’s reserves. Furthermore, Germany could use considerably less gas and other energy sources if it would develop more nuclear energy. Environmentalists, however, oppose nuclear energy. The result: Germany, a potential powerhouse, is dependent on a Russia which is preparing to dominate the entire region, and use all dependence of neighboring and other countries on it to its advantage.

Most amazing about this situation is that most Germans would instantly rebel if they knew how ridicilous the situation has become, and how environmentalists’ hijacking of their government has hurt them all, and will hurt them even more in the years ahead. As such, there is simply no reason for the German government to continue giving in to environmentalists’ demands. They could make this a major issue, and declare environmentalists the enemies of energy independence. They could expose them for what they are: frauds and individuals who would rather weaken their country than let it use its potential to the fullest.

For now, Merkel has not proven to be the courageous leader many hoped she would be. By breaking with environmentalists and proposing a grand project aimed at making Germany energy independent (from Russia), she would win the respect of many, even of those who did not support her initially. She would also, I believe, become a European leader on this subject, with other countries quickly following suit; it seems that the only thing other European leaders are waiting for is for one of them to make the first, big step towards energy independence. Once this step is made, all the others will quickly follow and declare environmentalists’ concerns to be not only irrelevant but harmful.