Bayern’s Minister of Economics and Deputy Minister-President, Hubert Aiwanger, strongly criticized the proposal by former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to declare an international climate emergency. Making the remarks to the news service “Welt” Aiwanger stated that Lauterbach should leave people alone and warns that the former official’s strategy is to spread panic. He suggested that Lauterbach himself may suffer from panic attacks and is now drawing the entire population into the drama. Aiwanger dismissed the idea of declaring a global climate emergency as utter nonsense, arguing that it mandates repeat measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby undermining the governmental authority of self-appointed experts.
Aiwanger also assured that there is no desire to avoid crucial fossil energy sources, but stressed the lack of clarity regarding the true danger posed by climate change. He pointed out that previous climate forecasts had been scientifically questionable, leading to unwarranted panic, while more recently, other scientists have contradicted these warnings, stating the threat is not as severe and not fully proven. He concluded that, fundamentally, the scientific consensus is unknown. Furthermore, he cautioned against continuing policies that ruin the economy and spread fear, comparing such warnings to how the church once warned of hell in the Middle Ages.
Regarding specific policies, Aiwanger argued that the carbon dioxide levy should be abolished, noting that the entire “CO2 tax craze” in Germany is currently damaging the industry. While acknowledging that the federal government is purportedly doing enough to contain CO2 emissions, he maintained that the cost to citizens is far too high. In his view, the CO2 levy should be eliminated rather than increased, as it is merely resulting in job relocation, especially to China.