Perplexed, the Federal government is responding to the Warnbericht of the world climate Council. Of a German leading role, nobody speaks.
In the German Ministry for the environment, you have spared this Monday, no effort and cost: The room is full to bursting, two state secretaries and a climate researcher for the questions of the journalists. And there is a time-consuming Video-Unlock to South Korea, where the world-intergovernmental panel on climate change, his new report is submitted. From there, Hans-Otto Poertner is switched on, a recognized German polar researcher and biologist at the Alfred-Wegener-Institute in Bremerhaven. Co-wrote the latest alarm report of nearly 100 experts from 44 countries.
“The Problem is politics”
The short conclusion: to save the world’s climate, the next ten years will be decisive. The goal is not to have to decided to be a global warming of just 1.5 degrees since the onset of industrialization to seek, as previously, to a maximum of two degrees, such as at the climate conference three years ago in Paris. No, 1.5 degrees, it must be now. By mid-century, emissions must disappear.And Poertner to find that this is also feasible. Technologically, anyway. “The problems are on the political side. A charismatic personality, the bears, that would be something. But at the Moment, the Comments go rather in the other direction.” Zack, sitting. For once, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was this personality, which campaigned internationally for the protection of the climate. A long time ago.
A rating without a Minister
Now that the German government, the findings of the report want to rate, are not even the Minister responsible came. The environment Minister, Svenja Schulze, has sent their Secretary of state Jochen Flasbarth. Sick, the SPD politician, it is from your environment.
On the New focuses, but the Old left: the environment Secretary of state Jochen Flasbarth.
Your Secretary of state, an internationally recognized negotiator and an expert on the environment, is doing his Best to sell the German climate policy. Almost 35 percent of the renewable energy in Germany to generate electricity, the energy revolution devours billion, in many areas of technology, German companies are world leaders.
Too Much Coal Power
But in the end, the emissions in Germany have risen again, the goal of, by 2020, 40 percent of climate-saving gas, will not be achieved. There is too much carbon and is many car fumes. Flasbarth a grippy, honest formula: “When it comes to climate, we focused on the New without sacrificing the Old.” The New, are the many thousands of wind turbines in Germany, which is the energy of the sun. The Old one is the coal. Until the end of the year, a Commission to advise on how Germany of fossil fuels can get out of the burning. And especially: when. Environmental experts urge that this must be no later than 2030. But there are also many politicians, especially from the coal countries of North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg, the wish for a later date. Still, 36 percent of Germany’s electricity is from coal-fired power plants are manufactured. Now, there may still be more ambitious climate targets to be considered, the force seems to be missing. The Flasbarth: “Since we are not yet good. Everyone is wrong who believes that we don’t have to take it seriously.”
“Germany is no longer at the front. Shame!”
In addition to the coal traffic is one major flaw. Recently, the government has agreed to the Diesel scandal with the auto industry on a laborious compromise, in order to prevent possible bans on driving in many German cities. Really, the didn’t seem ambitious. And, therefore, the well-known German climate scientist Daniela Jacob sums it up: “I have the impression that Germany is no longer at the front. Too bad!”. More sharply formulated, of course, the Opposition. The members of the European Parliament of the Green and environmental expert Rebecca Harms said: “the CDU/CSU and Chancellor Angela Merkel of the auto industry, one breakdown. Short-sighted brakeman in the groups prevent an important impetus for Innovation and climate protection.”
Laggards in Europe
In fact, Germany also operates on a European level as a brakeman. In the summer, the EU climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete was also under the impression of the
A result of the record heat in Germany: The Or leads in August in Frankfurt, hardly any water.
Record heat in Europe, argues that by 2030 a reduction in greenhouse gases in the EU by 45 percent compared to 1990 conditions. So far, the EU target is 40 percent. Germany and some other EU States refuse to increase the target now.
Fierce criticism from environmental groups
The heat of summer, Greenpeace climate expert Benjamin Stephan, should also have been in Germany the politicians to repentance: “Never the drastic consequences of the earth rhitzung in Germany were so palpable as in this drought summer. Nor can we prevent that such droughts will be more likely that stronger storms and destructive Floods. This report shows that it is possible.” And further: “There is no excuse for a rich industrialized country like Germany, with its CO2-to ruin the balance sheet to continue with old, dirty coal-fired power plants.”
Merkel has other things to Worry about
Only a court has prevented the energy company RWE in the hambach forest in North Rhine-Westphalia, tearing up the forest to more brown coal to reduce. A court, not the policy. We speak with leading conservative politicians, but also with the social Democrats, then the narrative goes like this: Germany has dropped out of the nuclear force, operates the energy transition. More cannot be expected of the people. And the weakened Chancellor has quite other Concerns than to care for the world’s climate. In spite of all the alarm reports. The self-proclaimed climate pioneers, Germany is difficult to beat.