The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

The situation on Saturday: Almost everyone thinks green. But why only now?

2019-09-21T04:34:34.380Z


Today we are dealing with doubts about the criticism of the climate package, the power politics unsuccessfulness of the Greens, the impossibility to get a beer at the Oktoberfest and the avocado. Is the climate package really that bad? ...



Today we are dealing with doubts about the criticism of the climate package, the power politics unsuccessfulness of the Greens, the impossibility to get a beer at the Oktoberfest and the avocado.

Is the climate package really that bad?

Boris Roessler / DPA

More in the SPIEGEL

Issue 39/2019

Trio Infernal

A fanatic, a hothead and the unpredictable: what a war on the Gulf would mean for the world

Digital Edition | Printed issues | Apps | SUBSCRIPTION

I understand the criticism of the climate decisions of the Federal Government well. That does not seem decided, not courageous, it lacks the big idea, the clear line, as far as I can tell. The negative judgments of many experts come to mind. However, I also remember the year 2003, when Chancellor Gerhard Schröder introduced his Hartz IV reforms . How loud the criticism was, from all directions. Unsocial, some said. Not decided, not brave, lacking the big idea, the clear line, the others said (I was one of those).

The judgment "unsocial" is difficult to contradict. But Schröder's reforms are today regarded as one of the foundations for the long upswing of the Federal Republic, sometimes even called a second economic miracle . Should not we learn that?

Climate policy and social reforms are certainly difficult to compare. But we should allow ourselves some skepticism about the swift judgment. What I really like about this package is that it should be constantly reviewed and adjusted if it does not meet the milestones.

  • Climate package of the Federal Government: More packages as a package

Green powerlessness

Kay Nietfeld / DPA

The Greens in Baden-Württemberg celebrate their 40th anniversary today with a party conference in Sindelfingen. At that time, the first green regional association was founded there. The path of this party is considered a success story, especially in these days, because everything revolves around the climate. But you can also see it differently.

For more than forty years, the Greens have offered themselves as an alternative , preaching the urgency of environmental issues. But at the federal level, they were stuck in the 10-percent ghetto, mostly they were below this mark. The politicians are now rightly accused of having tackled the problems too late and not decided enough. However, most citizens have so far refused to see any politicians in power who might have tackled the issues early and decisively.

  • Power struggle in the Greens: Cem, the explosives master

Do you even get beer at the Oktoberfest?

Peter Kneffel / DPA

As a non-Bavarian you are surprised every year from the beginning of the Oktoberfest. Tomorrow it is time again, in the middle of September. The price for a measure is at least 11.40 euros, so you know.

My only beer tent experience at the Oktoberfest is this: I went to a beer tent and ordered a measure of beer from a waitress. She told me that beer is only available to people who have a seat. There were no seats . I waited a while to get a beer, but since no one was free, I left Oktoberfest without drinking a beer.

You meet people all over the world who have more or less bathed in beer at the Munich Oktoberfest. When I tell them about the impossibility of getting a beer there, they look at me like a madman.

  • Oktoberfest start: The Oktoberfest is

Loser of the day ...

Alan Ortega / REUTERS

... is the avocado . On the one hand, it is considered cool fruit. In Berlin-Mitte, there is hardly a bowl, a sandwich or a salad without avocado, which is the leading non-meat, so to speak.

On the other hand, the avocado is considered an environmental killer, because its cultivation consumes extremely much water, and in regions where water can be scarce.

The Chilean Rodrigo Mundaca can report that. In the Petorca region, he is fighting to ensure that everyone has free access to safe drinking water. A big problem is the cultivation of avocados. Mundaca will be awarded the International Nuremberg Human Rights Award on Sunday.

And Berlin-Mitte should perhaps think again about the avocado.

The compact news overview in the morning: current and opinionated. Every morning (weekdays) at 6 o'clock. Order directly here:

The latest news from the night

  • United States moves troops to Saudi Arabia: How many exactly and with what armament is unclear. The step will not contribute to relaxation
  • Joe Biden challenges Donald Trump: What did the President discuss with his Ukrainian counterpart on the phone? The transcript should clarify
  • Tens of thousands are demonstrating in New York - and in Kabul: concern for the climate is driving people to the streets. That even applies to Afghanistan

The SPIEGEL + recommendations for today

  • Right-wing politician: Björn Höcke loses importance in the AfD
  • SPIEGEL editorial: Freedom versus effectiveness
  • Yemen's rebel leaders in an interview: Did you really develop a drone for long-distance flights without help?
  • Education experts in an interview: What our day care centers are missing - and how they are getting better
  • Destiny of a displaced: My father cried every night in his sleep

I wish you a nice start to the day.

Your Dirk Kurbjuweit

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2019-09-21

You may like

News/Politics 2024-02-07T14:13:48.748Z
News/Politics 2024-02-24T11:12:57.095Z

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.