Can Angela Merkel convince Stephen Harper to change his approach to the environment?

When German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Ninister Stephen Harper meet in Ottawa this week, they're expected to talk about bilateral trade, the Euro Crisis, the Arab Spring and Syria.

[ Related: Euro crisis 'elephant in the room' for Harper-Merkel talks ]

One thing they likely won't be discussing, in any great detail at least, is the environment — when it come to issues about environment and climate change, Merkel and Harper are on two different planets.

Back in the mid-1990s, when she was Germany's environment minister, Merkel made it her mission to bring together officials from rich and poor countries to talk seriously about limiting greenhouse gas emissions. According to Time Magazine, her efforts were instrumental in getting leaders to sign the so-called Berlin Mandate in 1995, a precursor to the landmark Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

Now as chancellor, Merkel has continued the battle, setting lofty environmental goals for Germany while warning other countries that global warming will accelerate at a dramatic rate unless world leaders reach a deal on limiting greenhouse gas emissions immediately.

Contrast that to the Harper government's 'record' on the environment:

Scientists and green groups have railed against the Tories for withdrawing from Kyoto, undermining global climate negotiations in Durban last year, passing Bill C-38 which essentially repealed the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, gutting the Fisheries Act, promoting development of the 'tar sands' and for cutting science funding.

The Merkel/Harper environmental dichotomy will be even more pronounced this week, when Merkel alone attends an event in Halifax to highlight the work of climate scientists.

According to the Globe and Mail, Merkel will attend the launch of a joint project between the Dalhousie University's Halifax Marine Research Institute and German scientists from the Helmholtz Association called "Change, Risks and Resources in the Oceans: A Transatlantic and Arctic Approach."

The exhibits she'll tour will highlight how rising ocean temperatures are causing plankton levels to decline and hurting fish populations. They'll also demonstrate the impact of extreme marine events such as hurricanes and oil spills.

In lieu of Harper, Gary Goodyear, the federal minister of state for science and technology, will attend Thursday's event.

[ Related: Canadians believe climate change is occurring as July 2012 becomes hottest month on record ]

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May told the Globe that she hopes Merkel will convince Harper to change his approach to the environment and climate change.

"This visit should send a signal to Stephen Harper that the rest of the world needs to see Canada stop playing the role of obstructive, unwilling partner in climate negotiations and start being helpful," she said.

Good luck with that, Ms. Merkel.