Flussretter – Kampf um die letzten wilden Gewässer Europas
Summary
This SWR Kultur feature follows Ulrich Eichelmann, a veteran environmental activist, as he battles the construction of hydroelectric dams on Europe's last wild rivers, particularly the Neretva in Bosnia and the Vjosa in Albania. The episode contrasts his decades of grassroots resistance, including the historic Hainburg protests, with the complex conflict between climate goals and biodiversity protection. Through scenes from a scientific expedition in Bosnia and interviews with his daughter and local residents, the documentary explores the emotional toll of activism and the ongoing threat of…
Topics discussed
Introduction: Ulrich Eichelmann and his passion for insects
Early activism and the journey to Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Neretva River: Europe's last free-flowing waterways
The threat of 75 planned hydropower plants
Eichelmann's background: WWF and grassroots movements
The 1984 Hainburg occupation and its political impact
Leaving WWF and founding the NGO Riverwatch
The state of rivers in Germany and Austria
Debate: Hydropower as a climate solution vs. ecological harm
Ecological damage and the limits of hydropower potential
Interview with Luca Eichelmann, Ulrich's daughter
The Ilisu Dam project in Turkey and its human cost
Childhood memories and nature as self-care
Visit to Eichelmann's childhood home in Atteln
The 24-year battle to renaturate the Alte Au
Success in Germany and the importance of persistence
The Balkan hydropower boom and Austrian investors
The Vyosa River in Albania and the National Park victory
The Science Week in Ulog: Research and networking
Life in the shrinking village of Ulog
Community building and local respect for nature
The ethics of flying for environmental activism
Fieldwork: Discovering rare insects and fish
Interviews with locals: Perspectives on the dam
Challenges in mobilizing local opposition
New threats: The dam in Ulog and the airport in Albania
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