Electoral crusade with an ecological focus - Minister Lemke receives a tweet.
Green scenery, water, and bird melodies. Located just five kilometers from a bustling marketplace, the idyllic Raven Island - one of the six Saale Islands - is home to a serene natural environment, a stark contrast to the busy city life. The Greens invited environmentalist and author Ernst Paul Doerfler (74), widely known as a founder of the Green Party in the GDR during November 1989, for a walk through this picturesque retreat.
Ernst Paul Doerfler, who prides himself on his ability to simplify complex scientific facts into layman's terms, is renowned for his engaging stories. His most recent work, titled "Birds' Romantic Adventures," has already been published in three editions.
"Which bird do we hear?"
IS it a robin chirping, dear Minister?" Inquisitive Doerfler leads with a quizzical query. Steffi Lemke seems to prefer giving her friend the liberty to answer his own question. After all, she admits, "I never studied biology and don't feel comfortable around birds."
A chaffinch's sweet melodies blanket the air. Doerfler shares an interesting revelation - until recently, only the male chaffinch's songs were acknowledged, while the females' songs went unnoticed. It wasn't until a US researcher discovered that 70% of female chaffinches can indeed sing but with a delicate, barely audible voice.
Mating Season in Bird Kingdom
"Birds select a new mate every season, each one with assigned roles," Doerfler elaborates. Males tend to compete for the female attention while females act as voters. This controlled democracy model escapes the Minister's approval. "I believe everyone should be granted an equal vote," she disagrees.
Doerfler and the Minister joke about birds nesting and the author's thoughts about nature's zero-waste policy. However, the discussion takes a political turn when the Minister touts her government's circular economy strategy. "It's clear you've ensnared us here," she comments with amusement. "We just want to simplify life."
Lemke rejoices about the bird paradise on level electrical wires: "They don't need to concoct politics; the economy could've come up with this idea."
The Silicon Valley of Nature
Like butterflies to a flower, Minister and nature enthusiast Doerfler find themselves united by their common affinity for technology. Steffi Lemke raves about "Flora Incognita," an app that helped her identify plants during her "thieving expedition" last year. The author also showcases his preferred app, "Merlin Bird," which Anna has used to identify the birds spotted on their walk. Both industrialists in their own fields, they revel in engaging with nature with advanced tools at their disposal.
Their outing comes as a much-needed respite for the Minister. With a packed schedule, little time is usually left for such leisurely pursuits. She divulges, "This year, I haven't had the chance to row on the Elbe. In fact, it's been the same last year."
After a pleasure-filled hour, the duo returns to the bridge that leads to the mainland, completed crowning their expedition through the birds' romantic escapades. Doerfler bids his old companion a cheerful farewell, "May hope and confidence find you both." But he remains confined to bird-folk, "As with the birds, they perceive even the tiniest hint of light and start to sing, even if it's still dark."
