Has the environmental condition improved during your tenure, Steffi Lemke?
Steffi Lemke, the Green Party's charismatic politician from Dessau, steered the Federal Ministry of the Environment for the Greens for three and a half years. On May 6, she bid adieu to her government seat in the Bundestag, trading it for an opposition seat. But before succumbing to the political winds, she initiated the first National Sea Protection Conference, as reported in the "Climate Lab" on ntv. The aim was to recover thousands of tons of dangerous World War II ammunition from the North and Baltic Seas. Lemke also dropped significant funds into other areas. She proudly declared that the days of environmentalists begging for a few bucks are long gone. However, she acknowledges that her successor will enjoy the fruits of her labor.
Interview with Steffi Lemke:
ntv.de: You opened the first National Sea Protection Conference on your last day in office, just a few hours before handing over to Carsten Schneider. Why?
Steffi Lemke: Sea protection has barely been noticed in federal politics so far, as Germany doesn't have much sea territory. But we know seas are vital for climate, global food supply, and oxygen production. Therefore, I made it my mission as Environment Minister to finally address this issue at the federal level. That's why the Sea Protection Conference was a fitting conclusion to my term.
Panorama: First Region Takes Action Drought Drives Up Prices - "Water Will Become More Expensive" - Are there concrete plans?
We've kick-started the recovery of WWII ammunition from the North and Baltic Seas. There are thousands of tons of it, which can release highly toxic substances into the water when they corrode and decompose. This problem has been pushed aside for years, but now the program is funded and the first test removals have taken place. This is a significant leap. Another milestone is the international high seas protection agreement: For the first time, marine protected areas can be designated on the high seas - the area that belongs to no nation. We've also created a Marine Foundation at the German Federal Environmental Foundation. It will receive around 500 million euros in foundation funds and is secured for the coming years.
Why deal with the ammunition now if it wasn't a problem before?
It's not about isolated unexploded ordnance. The ammunition was simply dumped into the sea after World War II without considering its future effects. Now it's corroding and breaking down, releasing toxic substances – there are already signs of this in mussels. That's why removing as much of it as quickly as possible is crucial. But it's a complex process, never before attempted on a large scale worldwide.
What happens to the ammunition after it's recovered?
There is a facility in Germany where old ammunition can be destroyed, but it wouldn't be possible to transport it there by land. Therefore, a floating facility on a platform at sea is planned. If that works, it could serve as a model worldwide. There is great interest in it; we are pioneers.
Knowledge Matters: Researchers Predict a Hot Summer in Europe - You've also equipped other projects with substantial funds. A total of 3.5 billion euros is flowing into the "Natural Climate Protection" program - a larger sum than any previous Environment Ministry has distributed. Has the environment improved now?
The program aims to naturalize floodplains and moors and preserve old forests. The goal is always to trap CO2, but also to retain more water in the landscape. This helps with droughts and floods. However, we began from scratch, so the program can't be fully implemented within six months. As a result, the environment will only truly benefit in a few years.
Is money the critical factor in environmental protection?
Absolutely. Environmentalists had to beg for mere millions to protect nature and forests for years. It was never enough. Now, adequate funding is available for a solid foundation: Large parts of the forest are drying out. Many soils are so damaged that they can no longer absorb water, much like moors. Therefore, in terms of "Natural Climate Protection," one must think big.
Did you give your successor the credit? Black-Red thinks as big as you do?
The coalition agreement scares me deeply. Climate, environmental, and nature protection are almost nonexistent there. Instead, environmentally harmful subsidies are increased. I haven't had much interaction with most of the Black-Red players in a way that would make me believe they truly grasp the crisis in forests, water management, or drying moors.
Would you have liked to stay Environment Minister longer? You were perceived as rather quiet and reserved...
Democratic Germany doesn't lack loud voices. I had no desire for the limelight but rather for getting things done. In environmental and climate protection, there are no quick victories. One must always break through thick boards, use a long breath, and persevere. And yes, I was glad to be Environment Minister. Unfortunately, our government didn't manage to showcase achievements, allowing disputes to rule the roost instead. That's why the Traffic Light coalition ended prematurely. I still had much more planned.
Did you also experience disputes in your life?
Indeed. I live in Dessau, in the heart of Saxony-Anhalt. It's a normal small town with ordinary people. Everyday private life offered little understanding for some unnecessary debates. Remarkably, there was also a great deal of support or comments like: "We don't envy you for all the decisions and responsibilities you have to make." All the more disappointing was the election result.
Maybe it's because the Greens neglected their core themes? In the election campaign, environmental and climate protection were hardly visible. Instead, the Greens tried to score points against the Left with social justice.
It's a mistake to limit climate protection to purely ecological and technical aspects. It affects our drinking water, our food, and biodiversity. Most people want to enjoy nature. These aspects should have been given more attention, but currently, climate protection is often ignored or actively fought against. The fossil world doesn't give up without a fight. It hasn't backed down in Europe, Germany, or possibly even my party.
- Steffi Lemke, in her interview, highlighted the significance of environmental-science and policy-and-legislation in her tenure as Minister, particularly focusing on climate-change and the protection of the environment.
- During her term, Lemke spearheaded a vocational training program to address the World War II ammunition issue in the North and Baltic Seas, demonstrating a commitment to science and environmental protection.
- Transitioning from general-news to politics, Lemke expressed concern about the future of environmental policy in light of her successor and new policy-and-legislation, citing disagreements and a lack of emphasis on environmental concerns in the coalition agreement.
