Merkel - EU Must Lead On Climate Issues Despite US Foot-Dragging - AFP

[hatrack]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that Berlin would make the fight against global warming a centerpiece of its European Union presidency and press the United States to join the effort. In a speech at the German Council on Foreign Relations ahead of Berlin assuming the six-month presidency of the bloc in January, Merkel said the EU must lead the charge on climate protection even against US resistance.

"There should be no false modesty," Merkel said. "We must make it clear to our American partners that the approach to energy must be sustainable."

Merkel, who has fought hard to improve German-US relations since taking office one year ago, set her sights on US President George W. Bush and others in his administration who have questioned a link between carbon emissions and global warming. "The scientific evidence is growing ever stronger" that the planet will face catastrophic consequences due to global warming, she said. "The EU cannot solve the world's environmental problems on its own but it should be a leader," Merkel said.

She said energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy were also crucial elements of security policy considering the concentration of oil and gas supplies in volatile regions of the world. Merkel said she would work under the German EU presidency to improve ties with producer, transit and consumer countries on energy issues, and to create better conditions for the expansion and maintenance of energy infrastructure.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Merkel_Demands_US_Share_The_Burden_On_Climate_Protection_999.html

[Nihil]

1. Woohoo - go for it Angela!

> Merkel, who has fought hard to improve German-US relations since taking office one year
> ago, set her sights on US President George W. Bush and others in his administration who
> have questioned a link between carbon emissions and global warming. "The scientific
> evidence is growing ever stronger" that the planet will face catastrophic consequences
> due to global warming, she said. "The EU cannot solve the world's environmental problems
> on its own but it should be a leader," Merkel said.

That's the spirit! Lead, follow or get the fuck out of the way!