Germany is in the area of climate protection is not a pioneer any more, and in a global comparison, only mediocrity. Under Chancellor Angela Merkel, many opportunities were missed. Germany needs a bold new politics, says Gero Rueter.
How could this happen? Ten years ago, Germany was a pioneer in the renewable energies, wind power, biogas plants and also in photovoltaics. The industry was booming, and the prospects were good, to fulfill with the help of these techniques, not only the German climate targets.
There is the possibility to keep global warming to under 1.5 degrees, and Germany, many of these techniques, knows very well. That these are not used in Germany so far, is the strong opposition from the fossil energy industry. These fears of declining profits and defends itself with all means against the Expansion of renewables and a future-oriented climate policy.
DW-climate and energy expert Gero Rueter
So far, this lobbying has been very successful. The Expansion of the Renewable has slowed down in Germany under the Merkel government significantly restricted: The once-large German solar companies went bankrupt, and with the climate-damaging brown coal produces as much electricity as before.
The energy transition is faltering
Currently, the share of renewable energies in the German power supply is around 40 percent. Without the intervention of the fossil economy and the so-caused braking effects of this share but today at about 55 percent, and a power supply of 100 percent Renewable would be by 2030 in the industrial country, Germany is in sight.
The German climate targets did so without major problems, the Reputation as a climate pioneer would not be battered, and the solar industry would be also in Germany a significant industry.
Protest sign at a big demo against coal policy at the hambach forest
Now everything is different. The Merkel government and the established parties (Union, SPD and FDP) are traditionally closely associated with the fossil fuel industry. The behavior of the German policy in the diesel scandal is an expression of these linkages. In spite of exhaust gas manipulation, the auto industry is protected, and this, although the provisions for health and climate protection are violated on a massive scale, and the interests of car buyers as well.
One of the fossil-based economy-dependent policy is also observed in many other countries in the world. Particularly in the United States, Russia, Australia and Saudi Arabia the risks are ignored by the climate change largely and are not to scale for decisions in the policy.
More and more people have the nose of a short-sighted policy.
Voters with vision
We all want a good life on this planet, and this is also for our grandchildren. The technology for a clean energy supply is already there. By 2040, many countries could get out to the world from coal, Oil and Gas and their own energy needs, completely cover with renewable energies. In sum, then even more Jobs in the energy sector would be created, money saved and quality of life increases.
So far it is missing in the policy, however, often at will for the implementation. It is the will and the courage to break with the old cliques and the courage to be honest, that a ‘business as usual‘ for a long time. We should therefore choose in the future only politicians that are truly independent of the fossil-based economy. Needed politicians with vision for future generations.
In the case of elections, if possible, everyone should also take into account the interests of the grandchildren in the decision. Would be so chosen, we would soon politicians with vision.
But also in the purchase of products or travel, we can decide grandson. And if the many do, then the economy and policy changes much faster than was thought – and this not only in Germany.
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What you can do for climate protection?1. Less coal, Oil and Gas
The majority of greenhouse gases come from power plants, industry and transport. The Heating of buildings causes six per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Who uses energy-efficient, and coal, Oil and Gas, one part, protects the climate.
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What you can do for climate protection?2. Clean can generate electricity by itself
Power, meanwhile, has to come from coal-, Oil – and gas-fired power plants. There are Alternatives – and are now even in most cases cheaper. Electricity is easy to produce and, often, more than you need. On the roofs, there are solar modules, plenty of space, the technology is well established.
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What you can do for climate protection?3. Good ideas
More and more municipalities, companies, and cooperatives to invest in renewable energy and sell clean electricity. This solar Park is one of Saerbeck. The German community, with 7200 inhabitants, produces more electricity than it needs and is a role model. Here, a Delegation from the US just to visit.
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What you can do for climate protection?4. No money for climate-polluting companies
More and more citizens, pension funds, insurance companies, universities, and cities pull their money from fossil fuel companies. Münster in Germany is the first city that joined the so-called Divestment movement. In the world have done this now 57 cities. The global movement has great momentum, also because everyone can join in.
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What you can do for climate protection?5. Require to bike, Bus and train
Bikes, Bus and train will save a lot of CO2. In comparison to the car a Bus is five Times more climate-friendly and an electrically-powered train with green energy even more than 20 Times. In Amsterdam the majority of citizens ride a Bicycle. The city with wide bike paths and bike roads, that goes well.
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What you can do for climate protection?6. Don’t fly
Fly very climate is harmful. The facts show the Dilemma: To comply with the climate targets everyone on the planet should cause, on average, less than two tonnes of CO2 per year. A return flight between Berlin and New York, already a climate effect of 6.5 tonnes of CO2 per Person.
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What you can do for climate protection?7. Eat less meat
For the climate, agriculture is also a Problem. In rice cultivation, and in the stomachs of cattle, sheep and goats, the very climate-damaging Gas, methane. Critical livestock husbandry and growing worldwide meat consumption is also due to the increasing demand for soy for the feeding. For soybean cultivation, forests are cleared.
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What you can do for climate protection?8. Organic food to buy
Particularly climate-damaging nitrous oxide. Its share of the global greenhouse effect is six percent. It is produced in power plants and engines, but especially because of synthetic fertilizers in industrial agriculture. In organic farming these are prohibited and therefore less nitrous oxide is released. This helps to protect the climate.
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What you can do for climate protection?9. Build sustainably and consume
In the manufacture of steel and cement much CO2 is produced, when growth of wood and bamboo, CO2 is bound. The conscious choice of building materials helps the climate, the same applies for the consumer. For a Massage and hair style, you need no fossil energy, for plastic cups that end up every day in the garbage, a lot of.
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What you can do for climate protection?10. Take responsibility
How to avoid greenhouse gases, so that all the world’s children and their children live without a climate disaster, right? These students are fascinated by clean energy and see it as a Chance for their future. Anyone can help, that this is possible.