Nature or the Surroundings - Messner warns that right-wing populists threaten efforts towards combating climate change.
In 2015, at the World Climate Conference in Paris, 200 countries decided to try their best to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this, they aim to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases by more than 40% by 2030. The world has warmed by 1.1 degrees on average, while Germany has warmed 1.6 degrees.
Messner from the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that they collaborate with all democratically elected parties. "Some parties are quite critical of our topics," he mentioned. Even though the UBA can benefit from this criticism, if the democratic agreement is weakened, cooperation becomes tricky. During the European election on Sunday, the right-wing AfD emerged as the strongest force in eastern Germany.
Messner stated that, as in political matters, there are also people in Germany who dispute climate change and its consequences. "However, around 90% believe that a shift to climate neutrality is necessary and significant, even in this short timeframe. This percentage has been relatively steady for about 15 years."
UBA intends to organize a citizens' festival at its headquarters in Dessau-Roßlau on Saturday (June 15) to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
