World Climate Conference
Baerbock at UN climate summit: “The greatest threat of our time”
In recent years, former Secretary of State Baerbock often conducted all-night negotiations at climate change summits. Now he comes to Brazil as a UN representative – with a clear message.
Despite the many wars and conflicts around the world, the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, classified the climate crisis as “the greatest threat of our time”. At the start of his visit to the World Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, he told the German Press Agency: “Around 3.6 billion people – almost half the world’s population – now face major risks from the impacts of climate change: drought, floods, extreme heat and increasing food insecurity.” This reinforces the “vicious cycle of hunger, poverty, displacement, instability and conflict”.
“There were simpler times for climate protection”
“There is no doubt that today there are easier geopolitical times for climate protection,” continued the former foreign minister, who led negotiations for Germany at climate conferences in recent years. “But there is no alternative to international cooperation. Because the climate won’t care if you deny the scientific facts, and CO2 doesn’t stop at borders.”
Most importantly, US President Donald Trump described human-caused global warming as a “hoax” and withdrew from the Paris climate agreement on his first day in office.
Poor countries need support
Baerbock went on to say that while geopolitical challenges are strong, there is no turning back economically: renewables already accounted for 90 percent of all new energy installations worldwide last year. “It is now important to take advantage of this and encourage investment, especially in developing countries,” Baerbock demanded.
Poor countries that contribute the least and suffer the most must be supported and protected, he said. A single hurricane can destroy decades of infrastructure and economic progress in some island nations.
Environment Minister Schneider was also out in the rainforest
At COP30 in the Amazon region until next weekend, around 200 countries will discuss how global warming can be overcome. In addition, there are demands from developing countries for aid funds to better adapt to fatal impacts such as more frequent and severe droughts, heat waves, forest fires and hurricanes.
A large demonstration was planned in the city center on Saturday morning. It is estimated that there will be tens of thousands of participants, including indigenous peoples and other climate activists. In line with the UN climate conference, hundreds of organizations, movements and networks from Brazil and abroad met in Belém today to hold a “People’s Summit”.
Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) will also arrive in Brazil at the weekend. Before entering the crucial stage of negotiations, the minister will meet with members of the Quilombola community, who live in and outside the rainforest, on Sunday. He also wants to visit a nature reserve.
dpa
