Read the video transcript here
Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Palau Islands,
“There is no dignity in a slow and painful death.
They might as well bomb our islands instead of making us suffer like this just to watch our slow, fateful demise.
Leader of the G20!
We're drowning.
And our only hope is the lifebuoy you have in your hands. "
At the climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, the representatives of the states most threatened by the consequences of global warming turned to the international community with pleading words. It is not the first dramatic appeal of its kind - how do the major industrialized nations react when they hold the proverbial lifebuoy in their hands?
Susanne Götze, DER SPIEGEL
»The first two days of the UN climate conference have shown that the world is no longer as united in climate protection as it was in 2015 at the UN climate conference.
Nevertheless, it is the case that the climate negotiation process is being driven by three big players.
One is the USA, of course the host country Great Britain with Boris Johnson, and of course the European Union, which has always played a very important and, above all, progressive role in the international climate negotiations. "
The President of the USA criticized the fact that some heads of state are not even present - although it is mostly up to them that matters.
Joe Biden, US President
“China, which understandably wants to assume a new role as world leader, does not appear here?
I ask you!
The only important thing that deserves the world's attention is the climate.
All over.
From Iceland to Australia, it's just a huge problem and they're running away from it!
The same with Putin and Russia!
His tundra is on fire - it is literally burning - he has serious, serious climate problems and he does not want to do anything at all. "
Susanne Götze, DER SPIEGEL
“China, Russia, Turkey and Brazil were not represented here by presidents. But that does not mean that the countries are not part of the negotiations. That’s a very big difference. Of course, the Chinese and Russian delegations are here, as are the Turkish and Brazilian delegations. And they negotiate with. And some of them also join the major initiatives of the USA and the European Union. Of course, they only do as much as is beneficial to their interests. And, of course, they also take a stand against many things in the negotiations. But still it is not, as it is often rumored to the outside world, that China is absent here. China is very present here and observers are still hoping that there will be a rapprochement between the big players here,on those at the climate conference. "
After all, the leaders made some important breakthroughs.
The deforestation of the earth is to be ended by 2030 - with the help of 19 billion dollars in public and private funds.
Deforestation, clearing and fire destroyed 258,000 square kilometers of forest worldwide last year - an area larger than Great Britain.
A second important pact:
Joe Biden, US President
"Together we have made a collective commitment to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030, and I think we can probably do more than that."
Susanne Götze, DER SPIEGEL
»And these were important alliances that were initiated by the USA, UK and the European Union, where more than 100 countries have come together and have shown: Yes, we are ready to do something for climate protection outside of climate protection plans to do and thus to increase our ambitions even more. "
Angela Merkel spoke for the last time at a climate conference on Monday - at least as Chancellor.
Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor
»The world is hoping, of course, and I would like to underline that we will be in a better position at the end of this Glasgow conference.
Therefore my clear plea: In the decade of action, in the decade in which we now live, to be more ambitious nationally ... "
Susanne Götze, DER SPIEGEL
»She proclaimed a decade of action in her speech.
And many observers thought that was a bit weird, because one naturally wonders, after 16 years, why she did not act herself and why she is now proclaiming this decade of acting.
She is one of the heads of state and government here in Glasgow who have been in office and in power the longest. "
One of the most important messages from the climate conference: The US is back.
And so the US president tried to restore the good reputation of his country.
Susanne Götze, DER SPIEGEL
»And he has publicly apologized for the fact that the USA withdrew from the climate agreement under his predecessor, ex-President Trump.
And now they are fully back.
That was the signal to the world community. "
The heads of state and government have already left after the first two days of the climate conference.
Now the real work begins: the delegations have to negotiate binding commitments.
The 26th climate conference in Glasgow runs until November 12th.
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