Dear Mr. President-Elect,

first of all, we would like to congratulate you on your election to be the 44th President of the United States of America. The world has been waiting for a sign from your country. Your campaign slogan, the change we need, not only inspired the citizens of your own country but sent a message to the world. Now we, the leading climate scientists of Germany and its citizens, are waiting for action and for a strong sign of change especially with respect to climate change.

The United States of America is a big nation and a powerful country. It is the nation that must lead the way on climate protection.

If change will not come now, not long from today millions of people will wait at the gates of America demanding justice because where they once lived, it does not rain anymore, the land has been swamped by the sea, there are no more sufficient water resources to make a living, and climate change has destroyed their livelihood.

Change. In accordance with your slogan we petition you to incorporate five points into your considerations during the coming months:

1. The United States of America must join all the other industrialized countries and pay a price for its CO₂-emissions.

2. The United States of America must cut CO₂-emissions by at least 80 percent by the middle of the 21st century.

3. The United States of America should engage in concrete reductions and advanced measures for climate protection within the scope of international agreements.

4. The United States of America should lead the way to a new worldwide Apollo project in order to transition energy supplies to renewable energy sources and to positively change climate and energy security.

5. The United States of America should be a leader for an energy turnaround and climate protection.

We know this is an enormous challenge and, thus, we will be ready to help any time.