last generation
Climate activists criticized for long-distance flights to Asia
A roadblock by activists from the Last Generation group. photo
© Swen Pförtner/dpa
They were supposed to appear in court over a roadblock, but it turned out that two climate activists went to Asia instead. The flight is now causing criticism.
In the debate about two climate protectors who have been criticized for taking a long-distance plane trip to Asia, the Last Generation climate protection movement has complained about double standards.
It is understandable that it triggers negative feelings when last-generation protesters get on a plane, the organization said. But it is also a double standard, for example to dig up the town of Lützerath as a “climate chancellor”. Some sharp criticism and ridicule came from politicians in the direction of the activists.
The debate was triggered by a report in the “Bild” newspaper, according to which two climate activists should have appeared in court in Stuttgart. The man is said to have blocked a federal highway together with other activists in Stuttgart last autumn and glued himself there. He would have had to answer before the district court for coercion. The woman was called as a witness.
repercussions on social media
Instead of appearing, they flew to Bali and caused around 7.9 tons of CO2, the “Bild” newspaper calculated. A discussion broke out on social media. Individual politicians had also spoken out critically. The activists’ attitude has often been described as “hypocritical” in the face of their repeated road and airport blockades.
The two did not fly to Bali, but to Thailand to “stay there for many months,” said the last generation. Your absence had been agreed with the court. The competent district court confirmed that the persons concerned had announced before the hearing that they would not be able to appear. However, the judge did not release her from her obligation. While the testimony of the witness can be waived, the accused now receives a penalty order.
The Last Generation organization defended the long-distance journey of the two: Individual behavior is not unimportant, on the contrary, the climate activists said in a statement. Getting involved politically against climate collapse and changing your own life in the process often go hand in hand. However, such a change in life is not a prerequisite for the protest.
Climate activists admit mistakes
In the meantime, the two climate activists have also spoken out and admitted mistakes. “Since we’re still busy with this flight and we have to come back to Germany, we’re constantly thinking about how things can be improved,” they wrote in an article for the “taz”. They noticed a glaring mistake: Instead of flying to Southeast Asia from Germany, they had to combine train, bus and plane.
“The train and bus wouldn’t have ended in Munich, we could have gone to Iran and boarded a plane there.” Unfortunately, due to the current protests in Iran and their brutal suppression and suppression, this is absolutely not possible for the return journey. “But it is easily possible to come to Germany from Turkey without a plane.” The flight to Turkey will be “the last of our lives”.