Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany

Satellite image analysis shows 329 hectares of forest cleared during development of factory in Germany

The development of a Tesla gigafactory near Berlin has resulted in about 500,000 trees being felled, according to satellite analysis.

The building of the German factory has been highly controversial and attracted significant protests, as well as prompting a debate about the trade-offs involved in developing a green economy.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s owner, has criticised local police for letting off “leftwing protesters”.

Satellite images show 329 hectares (813 acres) of forest were cut down at the site between March 2020 and May 2023, according to the environmental intelligence company Kayrros. That is equivalent to approximately 500,000 trees.

  • MouselemmingEnglish
    22·
    4 months ago

    That would be the sensible thing to do, but we are talking about Moist&Musky here, so we can’t assume.

    • general_kitten@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      32·
      4 months ago

      My guess is that Mr. Elongated Muskrat didn’t own the land before so I would imagine the previous landowner harvested the trees before the construction/land purchase