Must do “everything humanly possible” to deal with global warming – Merkel

People have to do “everything humanly possible” to deal with global warming, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her New Year’s speech 2020. “It is still possible,” said the conservative, who has been dubbed “climate chancellor” for her commitment in international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Global warming is real. It is threatening. It, and the crises arising from global warming, are man-made,” she said. The measures laid out in the government’s climate package in autumn 2019 could overwhelm some and are not sufficient for others, said the chancellor. “And it's true: at 65, I am at an age at which I personally will no longer experience all the consequences of climate change that would occur if the politicians did not act. After all, it is our children and grandchildren who have to live with the consequences of what we do or do not do today.”

Merkel’s remarks echoed statements she made earlier in 2019 in her commencement address delivered at Harvard University in the United States. Many wonder if Merkel can still live up to her ‘climate chancellor’ reputation in her fourth term, now that she has announced to step down as conservative party leader and doubts about the ability of her stumbling government coalition to drive key energy and climate policy decisions persist.