From sorted recycling bins to a chancellor who pushes the issue on the world stage, Germany is a famously environmental country. The easiest way to get involved is to follow the lead of native Berliners: cycle or use public transport, reuse canvas grocery bags (this is encouraged by most grocery stores, who charge for plastic bags), reuse trash for art projects, and shop at flea markets and second-hand stores. The one seriously non-environmental act that many Berliners indulge in is smoking, but even that is due to change with the smoking ban. For a more active involvement, there are a number of organisations. Greenpeace (030 308 8990, www.greenpeace.de) has an office in Berlin. Freunde der Erde (Friends of the Earth, www.bund.net) is one of the largest German environmental groups, and has a number of branches in Berlin, including two for youths. Treehugger (www.treehugger.com) provides news on how to stay on the cutting edge of environmentalism. Like most non-profit organisations in Germany, environmental groups are often heavily funded by the German government. Check out the excellent (and English-speaking) Umweltbundesamt (Federation for the Environment, www.umweltbundesamt.de) for news and where to find your local group.