Global warming a real danger: Merkel

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel called global warming “real” and “dangerous” in her New Year’s address, saying she will do everything in her power to ensure Germany makes a meaningful contribution to tackling it.

“Our children and grandchildren are the ones who will have to live with the consequences of what we do, or fail to do, today,” Merkel said in the written version of a televised address.

“That is why I am making every effort to ensure that Germany does its part –environmentally, economically and socially – to deal with climate change.”

Merkel acknowledged the shortcomings of a much-criticised climate package her coalition government agreed in September.

Germany’s upper house approved the core element this month, including a higher levy on carbon pollution than first planned. Critics decried the initial tax as too low to help stem global warming.