The AfD's climate policy stands in stark contrast to the state of research. Markus Lanz asks Steffen Kotre why his party is going down this path.
Hamburg – At the start of a lively climate discussion, Markus Lanz first shows how many countries are already struggling with drought in May this year. He then asks Mojib Latif how much concern he was about the images shown. The climate researcher is extremely worried because the events would occur more frequently and intensively. In his eyes, this development is the result of "human activities".
At the same time, Latif emphasizes that this trend does not surprise him, as the science that monitors the increase in greenhouse gases had made corresponding forecasts. In view of these predictions, the expert warns of the emergence of a "climate niche". By the end of the century, according to Latif, a feel-good zone could have been created in which the climate is still bearable. In the other areas, on the other hand, there would be large refugee movements.
"Markus Lanz" – these were his guests on 25 May
- Prof. Mojib Latif, climate researcher
- Steffen Kotré, AfD politician
- Melanie Amann, journalist (Spiegel)
Since, in his opinion, people have not yet fully recognized the imminent danger, Latif then lists a few facts in the TV talk show "Markus Lanz" to classify the current situation. For example, from the Ice Age (10,000 years ago) to industrialization, the earth warmed by almost 4 degrees. However, the same warming has also become apparent in the last 100 years.
Latif hopes that this trend can be stopped in the near future and is obviously building on Germany's role model function. The oceanographer explains that our country could have a significant impact on the rest of the world in terms of the use of renewable energy. After all, a positive development is already discernible in the USA and China.
Prof. Mojib Latif (l., climate researcher) comments on the latest scientific findings on the causes and consequences of climate change in "Markus Lanz". Steffen Kotré (right, AfD) explains his doubts about human influence on climate change. © Cornelia Lehmann/ZDF
"Markus Lanz": AfD politician doubts man-made climate change
For Latif, however, there is no doubt that climate change is man-made and that this is the general consensus. Otherwise, his doctoral supervisor would not have received the Nobel Prize in Physics two years ago for this finding.
Nevertheless, Steffen Kotre disagrees. To his knowledge, several well-known scientists have turned away from this thesis. When Lanz probes, however, the AfD politician cannot name any specific names.
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Nevertheless, Kotre asserts that climate change is "nothing new" and refers to changes during the Ice Age and during the Middle Ages. "What we are experiencing now is new," Latif counters. Nowadays, science speaks of a global development that did not exist in the past.
Climate expert bursts the collar at "Markus Lanz"
Kotre, who constantly interjects Latif's reply, then condemns the doomsday mood that the climate researcher conjures up with his statements. After all, other scientists would not share these views.
Lanz asks Kotre again for their names. Born in Berlin, he finally refers to Anton Zeilinger, who, however, is a quantum physicist, as Lanz points out. For Kotre, however, his expertise is sufficient. He also shares the view that increased CO₂ emissions do not necessarily have to be bad for the climate.
This is the end of the story for Latif. "You are simply making false claims here," the meteorologist accuses the previous speaker. Kotre counters that climate research is still in its infancy, which Latif also does not leave uncommented. "These are fake claims," the expert clarifies.
When Kotre then wants to rely on studies from the University of Alabama, Latif explains that these findings have long since been refuted.
"Markus Lanz": Steffen Kotre closes his eyes to the consequences of climate change
Journalist Melanie Amann even warned against Kotre because the politician is "exploiting the climate issue in a populist way". Without a suitable classification, viewers might also think that two experts were discussing their field of expertise beforehand. According to Amann, Latif refers to facts, while Kotre deals with opinion.
Furthermore, the Spiegel journalist does not understand why the AfD politician closes his eyes to the consequences of climate change, even though the people in his home state of Brandenburg suffer so much from them. Kotre justifies this by saying that he has not found any credible studies confirming the warming, whereupon the group loudly disagrees with him.
Latif then refers to climate records dating back to 1881, which show that the number of hot days in Germany has increased "massively". The researcher therefore wants to know from Kotre which experts presented him with different figures. The person addressed then dodges again.
Lanz therefore singles out a team of experts in the form of the "European Institute for Climate and Energy", which Kotre relies on on its website. The ZDF presenter makes it clear that those responsible there do not have any capacities and even reject climate research.
Kotre feels personally cornered by this statement. The rest of the group, however, makes it clear to him that she wants to show which "experts" he consults.
AfD politician gets entangled in lies at "Markus Lanz"
Since the AfD is currently enjoying great success in the polls, Markus Lanz asks Steffen Kotre what would change if he held the post of Minister of Economic Affairs. The 52-year-old explains that he would focus more on gas and nuclear energy again.
According to Kotre, new nuclear power plants would also be built. The politician is then asked if he is not worried about nuclear waste. He actually considers the waste products to be harmless, explains Kotre. Latif counters that there is once again no scientific basis for this statement.
Nevertheless, Kotre wants to get his interlocutors excited about nuclear energy by addressing the relatively low costs. However, Lanz immediately exposes this lie. The talk show host reminds us that nuclear power is by no means cheap. When Kotre contradicts him, Lanz reports how heavily nuclear power plants are subsidized in order to take away his last illusions.
AfD politician defends propaganda appearance on Russian television at "Matkus Lanz"
Finally, Lanz discusses the AfD's proximity to Putin. In an accompanying clip, Steffen Kotre can be seen in a Russian propaganda broadcast against the German media and claiming that the majority of German citizens reject arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Lanz then asks his guest freely why his party is engaged in this "Putin understanding". Kotre justifies this with the narrative of NATO's prohibited eastward expansion. However, when asked repeatedly, the MP cannot prove that there has ever been such a promise from NATO.
Melanie Amann, meanwhile, admits that the West has probably made diplomatic mistakes. However, since Russia has never been threatened in their eyes, Putin cannot present any justification for the attack on Ukraine.
Kotre, on the other hand, argues that the US wants to "destabilize" Russia by positioning Ukraine against Russia. Despite this view, he describes the Ukraine war as a war of aggression in violation of international law, for which Vladimir Putiin is responsible. For this act, the ruler must be "held accountable".
Before that, however, according to Kotre, the war must first come to an end. For this reason, he ultimately appeared on Russian television to keep the "Peace Channel" open.
"Markus Lanz" – The conclusion of the show
In the discussion, it becomes clear how important it is to examine sources of information. Opinions and assertions should never be equated with sound expert knowledge. Not even if the experts speak uncomfortable truths. (Kevin Richau)
