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Angela Merkel at the summer press conference
Photo: Wolfgang Kumm / dpa
Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted omissions and disappointments in climate protection policy at the last summer press conference.
Measured against the goal of limiting the global rise in climate to two degrees, "not enough happened" during her chancellorship, she said.
"That's why the pace has to be increased."
Merkel also emphasized her personal commitment to the fight against global warming.
"I think I have put a lot of effort into protecting the climate," she said.
"And yet, with a scientific understanding, I am sufficiently equipped to see that the objective conditions require that one cannot continue at that pace, but has to get faster."
At the same time, the Chancellor pointed out that there was great resistance worldwide to efficient climate protection - for example in the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. "I experienced a lot of disappointments at the time," said Merkel.
You have "used very, very much energy in my political life to find majorities so that we could at least go this way."
This "actually shaped my entire political work".
"The more we are vaccinated, the freer we will be again"
Merkel called on the population to intensify vaccination efforts in view of the increasing number of infections.
"The more we are vaccinated, the freer we will be again," said the Chancellor.
The pandemic can only be overcome together.
That is why people should also actively promote vaccinations in their private and working environment.
Even those who hesitated should consider: "Each vaccination is a small step towards more protection for everyone," Merkel said.
Therefore, everyone who is already convinced and vaccinated should advertise more vaccination protection in their family and friends or at work.
"We all want our normality back, but we can only get it back as a community," said the Chancellor.
as / AFP / dpa