"Lookin' Back, Feeling Proud" - Steffi Lemke on Her Time as Environment Minister
Has the environment improved during your tenure, Steffi Lemke?
Headlines blast Steffi Lemke's departure from the Federal Ministry of the Environment, but the Green Party politician from Dessau isn't about to wallow in sorrow. Instead, she's gearing up for the first National Marine Protection Conference - a fitting finale to her tenure.
In a candid chat with ntv's "Climate Lab," Lemke explained her mission as Environment Minister: to give marine protection the attention it deserves, even if Germany doesn't boast much marine territory. She pointed out the seas' indispensable roles in climate, global food supply, and oxygen production, making marine protection a top priority.
The marine protection conference, held on her last day in office, aimed to tackle issues like recovering thousands of tons of toxic World War II munitions from the North and Baltic Seas. These munitions, left to rust and decompose over the years, pose a significant threat, releasing harmful substances into the water. The program to remove them, now funded, marks a major milestone.
Another notable achievement is the international high seas protection agreement, enabling the designation of marine protected areas in high seas areas not belonging to any nation. Also, a Marine Foundation has been established at the German Federal Environmental Foundation, securing around 500 million euros for future marine conservation efforts.
Lemke acknowledged that the work isn't over; the unexploded ordnance cleanup is complex and poses unique challenges. Yet, Germany is paving the way with potential solutions like a floating facility on a platform at sea.
The "Natural Climate Protection" program, totaling 3.5 billion euros, aims to restore floodplains, wetlands, and preserve old forests, all crucial elements in storing CO2 and managing water during droughts and floods. With the proper resources, Lemke believes, significant environmental improvements can be achieved in the coming years.
On the criticism of her reserved leadership style, Lemke emphasized her focus on action rather than personal glory. She was content to let the results speak for themselves, even if the German government failed to showcase its successes. Reflecting on her time as Minister, Lemke expressed satisfaction with what she had accomplished and looked forward to holding her successors accountable.
- In her role as Environment Minister, Steffi Lemke emphasized the importance of policy-and-legislation focused on environmental-science, such as the development and implementation of community policy for vocational training in marine protection and employment policy within the field of science.
- During her tenure, Lemke worked diligently to address climate-change issues, including efforts to remove thousands of tons of toxic World War II munitions from the North and Baltic Seas, and securing international high seas protection agreements to establish marine protected areas.
- As Steffi Lemke moves on from her position as Environment Minister, she continues to advocate for general-news topics like ocean and marine conservation, as well as policy-and-legislation that supports these efforts, such as funding for the Natural Climate Protection program and measures to mitigate issues like climate-change and environmental-degradation.
