G7 summit to tackle climate change on Sunday

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging for temperatures to be limited to a 2-degree Celcius increase

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Group of 7 industrial powers to pledge to tackle climate change during their meeting in a Bavarian Castle on Sunday. She is urging the group to give $100 billion to help poor countries tackle climate change. Merkel cautioned against comparing the meeting with full-fledged climate negotiations but said the world’s leading industrial powers should send a signal ahead of a climate conference in Paris in December. She hopes that the G7 would agree to limit the rise in global temperatures to not more than 2 degrees Celcius.

Scientists have already warned that the current rate of emissions would lead to global temperatures rising by 4 degrees Celcius by 2100, even with the reductions already in place. The 2-degree increase would make some islands in the Pacific uninhabitable, increase weather-related disasters and lead to population displacement.

“I think it’s important that we, as G7, give a confirmation, so-to-speak, of this 100-billion fund,” said Merkel, adding that payments and promises would however, be sought at other conferences.