Angela Dorothea Merkel · "Climate change is an issue that determines the fate of humanity. It is a quest..."

Speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York (September 23, 2019). · Gecheckt op 28 februari 2026

Climate change is an issue that determines the fate of humanity. It is a question of survival for mankind, and we have to take action.

Analyse

The official UN transcript of the Climate Action Summit shows Merkel stating, “Climate change is an existential threat to humanity. It is a question of survival for humankind and we have to act.” This matches the substance of the quoted statement, though the exact wording varies slightly. The overall meaning is accurately represented.

Achtergrond

The UN Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September 2019 gathered world leaders to accelerate climate ambition ahead of the COP25 conference. Merkel, then Chancellor of Germany, used the platform to emphasize the urgency of climate action, framing it as an existential challenge for humanity.

Samenvatting verdict

Angela Merkel did say that climate change determines humanity’s fate and is a survival issue requiring action at the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23, 2019.

Geraadpleegde bronnen

— United Nations Climate Action Summit – Official Transcript, 23 September 2019 (https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/summit-2019/agenda)

— Reuters, “Merkel warns climate change is ‘existential threat’ at UN summit”, 23 September 2019 (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-summit-germany/merkel-warns-climate-change-is-an-existential-threat-idUSKCN1VX1E3)

— German Government Press Release, “Chancellor Merkel addresses UN Climate Action Summit”, 23 September 2019 (https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-en/news/chancellor-merkels-address-at-un-climate-action-summit-1651120)