Saturday, March 13, 2010 Previous editions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel made an impassioned plea to the US Congress today to back binding international climate change targets, evoking the spirit that saw the Berlin Wall torn down.
Becoming the first German leader to address a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate in 50 years, Mrs Merkel rallied against the “walls of short-sighted self-interest” as she urged the US to fall in line with Europe over global warming.
The address comes just weeks ahead of crucial talks in Copenhagen during which an international agreement needs to be reached, she said to a mixed response.
Next week marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
And Mrs Merkel took that historic event as a peg on which to urge the US to overcome new barriers preventing progress in today’s world.
Speaking largely through a translator she referred to obstacles preventing a united front against climate change as “the wall that seemingly separates the present from the future”.
Mrs Merkel continued: “This wall bars from view the needs of future generations and prevents us from doing what is urgently necessary to preserve the basis of our very lives and our climate.”
As she spoke, many members of Congress broke into spontaneous applause.
But in an indication that some US politicians remain unconvinced, a large section remained motionless as she called for binding international standards.
Turning to the upcoming conference in Denmark, Mrs Merkel said: “We know we have no time to lose. We need an agreement at the climate conference in Copenhagen. We need an agreement on one objective – global warming must not exceed two degrees Celsius.
“We need the readiness of all countries to accept international binding obligations. We cannot afford missing the objectives of climate protection that science tells us need to be met.
“This would not only be irresponsible from an environment point of view, it would also be technologically short-sighted. The development of new technology in the field of energy provides great opportunities in growth and innovative jobs.”
Some stood and applauded, others sat with their arms firmly crossed.
Mrs Merkel added: “There is no doubt about it, in December the world will look to us, to Europe and America. It is true there can be no agreement without China and India. But I’m convinced that once we in Europe and America show we are ready to adopt binding agreements we will also be able to persuade India and China to join in.”
Only then would the world be able to overcome the “wall separating the present from the future” she said.
“Just as we found the strength in the 20th century to bring about the fall of a wall made of concrete and barbed wire, we shall now show the necessary strength to overcome the walls of the 21st century – walls in our minds, walls of short-sighted self-interest, walls between the present and the future,” Ms Merkel added.
Prior to the congressional address, the German chancellor met with President Barack Obama. It is known that he is supporter of an international agreement on climate change.
But judging by the sections of Congress that failed to respond to Ms Merkel’s plea, he will face a battle forcing binding international obligations through Washington.
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 73385.
