Germany's
Merkel Urges Climate Action in New Year Message
By
Associated Press
December
30, 2019 09:27 PM
BERLIN -
Chancellor Angela Merkel is telling Germans in her New Year message that
"everything humanly possible" must be done to tackle climate change.
Merkel said
that there is good reason to be confident about the 2020s in her annual
televised message, the text of which was released ahead of its broadcast
Tuesday. But she pointed to challenges such as the effect of digitization on
people's jobs and, above all, climate change.
"The
warming of our Earth is real. It is threatening. It and the crises arising from
global warming were caused by humans," she said. "So we must do
everything humanly possible to deal with this challenge for humanity. That is
still possible."
Merkel said
that was the principle behind a recently agreed German package of measures aimed
at addressing climate change, which include a carbon dioxide pricing system for
the transport and heating sectors and lowering value-added tax on long-distance
rail tickets.
She
acknowledged criticism both from people who are worried about being overburdened
by the measures and from those who think they don't go far enough, but said
they provide the "necessary framework."
"It's
true that, at 65, I am at an age where I personally won't experience all the
consequences of climate change that would arise if politicians didn't
act," she said.
"It is
our children and grandchildren who will have to live with the consequences of
what we do or don't do today," Merkel added. "So I am putting all my
energy into Germany making its contribution — ecologically, economically,
socially — to getting a grip on climate change."
That is
also a priority of the European Union's new executive Commission, headed by
Ursula von der Leyen — a former German defense minister. Germany will hold the
EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 2020.
"Europe
must raise its voice more strongly in the world," Merkel said, pledging to
work for that during the EU presidency. She pointed to planned meetings with
Chinese and African leaders.
Merkel,
Germany's leader since 2005, has said that her current fourth term as
chancellor will be her last.
Protection
against hatred
Unlike last
year's, this New Year message contained no reference to infighting in the
often-tense coalition government of her center-right Christian Democratic Union and the center-left Social Democrats.
It remains uncertain whether the coalition will last until the end of the
parliamentary term in 2021.
Merkel did,
however, stress the need for authorities to protect local government officials
and "all people in our country against hatred, hostility and violence,
against racism and anti-Semitism."
This year
saw the killing of a regional government official from Merkel's party, Walter
Luebcke, who had vocally supported Merkel's welcoming stance toward refugees in
2015. The suspect is a far-right extremist.
And in
October, a man tried to force his way into a synagogue in Halle on Judaism's
holiest day, later killing two passers-by before being arrested. The suspect
posted an anti-Semitic screed before the attack.
Nicola
Sturgeon, first minister
Nicola
Sturgeon sees Scotland as being the centre of international attention in 2020
Ms
Sturgeon's message highlighted the UN climate change summit in Glasgow in
November as a key date for the year ahead, which she said would give Scotland
the chance to show it is leading by example.
Addressing
the UK's scheduled exit from the EU in January, the SNP leader sought to
reassure EU citizens and said the Scottish government would work towards giving
people the opportunity to "determine Scotland's future".
"As we
celebrate the start of 2020 and a new decade, we look forward to a year in
which Scotland will be at the centre of international attention," she
said.
'Leading by
example'
"In
November, the United Nations climate change summit in Glasgow will attract more
than 30,000 people from around the world.
"Hopefully
that summit will lead to progress in tackling the most important issue that the
world faces.
"And
it will give Scotland a chance to show that we are leading by example - not
just by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions but by doing so in a way that
helps to build a fairer, healthier and happier society."
The first
minister added: "The Glasgow summit comes near the end of what will be a
historic year.
"Against
the wishes of most people in Scotland, we will leave the European Union at the
end of January. That will, I know, be a source of deep regret for many of us.
"In
the year ahead, the Scottish government will do everything we can to mitigate
the worst impacts of Brexit.
"We
will provide support and reassurance for the EU citizens who have done us the
honour of choosing to make Scotland their home.
"And
we will work to ensure that people in Scotland have the chance to determine our
own future - by deciding whether we wish to become an independent country.
"In
all of this we will continue to ensure that Scotland remains an open,
outward-looking and welcoming society."
.jpeg)
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário