He is one of the most-cited researchers in his field, and a tireless communicator on the effects of climate change in the media: in the KURIER, Stefan Rahmstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research explains what this is really all about.

KURIER: Professor Rahmstorf, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl recently said that the retreat of glaciers is merely a consequence of the end of the last ice age that we're witnessing. Is that true?

Stefan Rahmstorf: No. That's an age-old climate sceptic argument. From the 1950s at the latest, global warming has been entirely caused by humans — and so too is the retreat of glaciers.

He also said that measures such as the planned CO2 pricing were lacking in common sense and completely disproportionate.

We have to orient ourselves by scientific facts, not by common sense. And CO2 pricing makes sense because emissions cause damage — not just climate change, but also air pollution. The German Federal Environment Agency estimates that a realistic CO2 price that covers the damages caused would need to be around 200 euros per tonne. As long as we don't put that price on emissions, it amounts to a hidden subsidy, and the damages are paid for by the general public, the taxpayer. That's not fair.

Read and watch the interview with Stefan Rahmstorf at: kurier.at