Climate researcher Mojib Latif of Kiel University urged the Federal Government to take decisive action ahead of the upcoming cabinet meeting in Neuhardenberg, which is planned to address issues of climate and heat protection. Latif, speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” emphasized that both climate protection and climate adaptation must be priorities on the governmental agenda.
He further stated that the proposed constitutional amendment-intended to cement heat protection-is unnecessary. Latif pointed out that Articles 1 and 20a of the Basic Law already establish core duties. Article 1 defines human dignity as inviolable, while Article 20a mandates that the state, on behalf of future generations, must protect natural life bases and animals within the constitutional framework through legislation, enforcement, and judicial decisions. In Latif’s view, the constitution already encompasses the essential requirements, and the government simply needs to adhere to them.
The scientist sharply criticized the current policy of the black-red coalition. “Regarding climate protection, we are witnessing a step backward,” he stated, questioning whether the government should drastically slow the expansion of renewable energies as currently planned. While acknowledging that Germany cannot save the climate alone, he noted that the country holds a crucial role as a leader for other nations.
Latif also stressed that action is urgently needed regarding climate adaptation, as the country is severely unprepared. Citing estimates from the Robert Koch Institute, he noted the projected figure of over 14,000 heat-related deaths this year, with nearly 10,000 already recorded by late June. He commented, “If the same thing happened due to another event, there would have been an uproar across the Republic. Yet, here we simply accept it. That is inhumane.”
