Island state of Palau: Baerbock finds out about the effects of the climate crisis

Island state of Palau: Baerbock finds out about the effects of the climate crisis

The Green politician has reached the next stop on her trip to Asia and is visiting an endangered nature reserve. She also wants to talk to those affected by climate change.

During a visit to the South Pacific, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for an international effort to combat the climate crisis.

“The climate emergency is not an isolated crisis. It is the most difficult security problem of our time, »said the Green politician on Saturday in the island state of Palau, which is particularly affected by global warming. Threatened nations in the South Pacific have repeatedly warned of the consequences of climate change at international climate negotiations. “But we have to admit that our response as an international community was insufficient, our support too limited,” Baerbock said in the speech, which was held in English.

“I think it’s really time that we not only listen to you from afar, but that we actually come here,” said the minister, adding that the last time a German foreign minister traveled to Palau was 120 years ago. In order to provide better and long-term support to nations threatened by rising sea levels, she appointed Beate Grzeski as special envoy for the Pacific island states. From now on, the diplomat will be the direct contact person for the archipelago.

Palau seems like a real paradise, stressed Baerbock. “But we can also imagine what will happen to this peaceful paradise if sea levels rise any further.” For example, schools that are built near the coast no longer offer children a safe place. Cultural sites could literally perish. And many residents would have to ask themselves a terrible question: “A question that I personally can hardly imagine: “Will our houses still be here in 30 or 50 years?”

No region of the world is suffering as much from the climate crisis as the Pacific States – even though their share of global greenhouse gas emissions is so small. “This is a blatant injustice,” said Baerbock. In order to achieve the desired climate goals, the world’s largest CO2 emitters in particular would have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more quickly, including Germany. “We are not oceans apart, we stand side by side,” Baerbock called out to the people of Palau.

Source: Stern

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