The next subject covered by the German Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier (SPD) was about the 20th anniversary of the falling of the Wall. The Minister comes from the former East Germany and many of his constituents, especially young people, were removed from the impact of the Wall. He said it is difficult because he has to give justification to people as to why a celebration and national holiday will be observed. It is also difficult to explain to people the importance of the upcoming elections to the European Union (EU). However for those over 50 it is easy to explain, as they at least know the history of the many years of civil war in Europe. Peace and stability are now taken for granted. There has been no war for 60 years. It is now hard to get people to vote. Last time only 40% of the people turned out for the EU elections. There will be less this year.
Finally, Minister Steinmeier wondered if U.S. policy in Cuba was going to change. President Obama has taken tentative steps in that direction, but the Castro brothers have not reciprocated his advances. He believes this issue should not be given a huge priority, but it may be the time for the U.S. to change its policy.
Another interesting session involved a trip to the Heinrich Böll Foundation to see how Germany was constructing energy efficient buildings. There was also discussion with the Federal Minister for the Environment Sigmar Gabriel (SPD). He pointed out there are today about 6.5 billion people on the planet, and in 50 years there will be more than 9 billion. Most of these people will be in industrialized societies which will create a huge demand for resources. Obviously, as the resources become scarce, the prices for such go up. He believes that climate change is real, but there also is a question of efficiency and cost. The solutions for climate change must create jobs. There also is an issue of who should pay for the changes. He, like nearly all Germans, was happy to see the new administration. He feels President Bush was not engaged in the climate issues and now the Obama Administration is accepting scientific signs about the climate change issue.
The Federal Minister for the Environment Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) repeated that Europe wants to reduce its pollution levels 20% by 2020 from the 1990 levels, and the 2050 goal is 80%. The real problem is in developing countries such as India, China and Mexico. China appears willing to do more than they publicly have announced. Russia is very skeptical and is the key to any meaningful treaty coming out of the Copenhagen meeting. What is needed is the U.S. and Europe to get a common position and challenge others, especially the developing countries, to join in. Germany has created 280,000 jobs in renewal energy. Eighty percent of the windmills in the world are produced in Germany and exported. There was also a discussion of Germany eliminating nuclear policy by 2020.
