They block the roads and warn us that “climate death” is near. In view of the hardship, misery and mass exodus from Ukraine, this protest seems a bit inappropriate and tasteless, says Gunnar Schupelius.
Now they’re sticking again: climate activists who call themselves “Last Generation” want to block streets and motorways in Berlin on Friday and, like at the beginning of the year, want to attach themselves to the roadway.
On their website they call for leaving “the fossil path of annihilation” and describe themselves as “society’s will to survive”.
The blockades are intended as a prelude to a “global climate strike” on March 25, to which the organization “Fridays for Future” is calling.
The renewed protest is necessary because the federal government has not used its first 100 days in office to stop climate change. “You have to stop this fossil madness now,” says adhesives activist Lea Bonasera.
The “Last Generation” had broken its blockades when the invasion of Ukraine began at the end of February. Was it tact towards the refugees or did they know they would not get the attention they needed? That remains open.
So now such considerations no longer matter. War or not, the cars should be stuck in traffic in Berlin so that the federal government does what the “last generation” wants: coal and oil should no longer be used and neither should natural gas.
In fact, at the moment we have completely different problems that are much bigger: millions of people are fleeing Ukraine, more than 1,000 traumatized women and children are arriving in Berlin every day. They must be taken care of.
In view of this need, the pasting not only seems petty and inappropriate, but downright tasteless. In view of the war in Europe, this protest is pure luxury.
It’s easy and safe to take to the streets in Germany, because the world is fine here.
In the morning you wake up in the well-heated apartment, have a vegan breakfast. In the evening the day ends with wholemeal pasta.
In between you sit on the autobahn or do gymnastics at the oil refinery in Schwedt when you try your luck with Greenpeace.
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Two flight hours further east, however, the world is no longer in order, but has been thrown off its hinges. It’s not about the imaginary climate death of the Berlin activists, it’s actually about murder and manslaughter, hunger, thirst and cold. There, in the bombed cities, people probably really do feel like they’re sort of last generation.
We have to rethink. Even the permanent demonstrators have to leave their cozy niche in which they present themselves as heroes in order to make everyone else feel guilty.
You have plenty of time to protest. You could check on the people from Ukraine in the exhibition halls or drive to Poland with an aid convoy. That would fit a little better with the times we live in now.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]