Climate protection: Hundreds of people from Steyr made a strong statement at the weekend

“We need enthusiasm for the climate change in Steyr in order not to be left behind. It would not be the first time that Steyr missed the train,” says Jürgen Hutsteiner from the Steyr climate focus. The farmer has been primarily responsible for the Steyr Climate Festival for five years. However, the fifth climate festival on Friday was his last in this role: “Unfortunately, it was not possible to get the whole of society enthusiastic about this topic.” In parting, Hutsteiner wished that Steyr would change direction in the field of education and shift the focus away from combustion engine technology.

Climate sticker at the climate festival

On the other hand, the more than 600 participants of the climate festival between Museum Arbeitswelt and FH Steyr were very enthusiastic. Climate protection activist and author Katharina Rogenhofer was convincing with her explanations of the upcoming problems and possible solutions, as was Maximilian Schoissengeyer. The mathematics student is involved with the activists of the “last generation” as a so-called climate glue. The 25-year-old understands very well that his actions are met with a lot of misunderstanding. His family was also skeptical at first, but his parents and sister are now taking part. “Anyone who is already in favor of climate protection understands us,” says Schoissengeyer.

“The problem is the unfortunately large group of people who have no opinion at all about climate protection. We reach them with our actions. Because not having an opinion on climate protection is almost as bad as being against climate protection.” The sticking campaigns would scare some people off, but on the other hand they would also win many over to the idea of ​​climate protection: “And what we are about to do with the climate issue looks terrible. In the coming years it will be decided whether we will cross the tipping point or not.”

For the core demands of the climate sticker – 100 km/h on the motorways and a ban on new oil and gas drilling – decision-makers in politics and business need a pretty big push: “We want to give that to the climate sticker.” He has already been on duty seven times, often encountering understanding from drivers, but also encountering resistance from pedestrians. “But some passers-by have even sat down with us and participated.”

Participation was also the topic of a conference on Saturday, at which around 50 participants developed proposed solutions for climate protection and citizen participation in Steyr. And on Sunday, more than 100 children and adults cycled through Steyr to campaign for more space for bikes on the streets.

Three questions for … Florian Kaltseis

The 32-year-old Steinbacher is one of the “Teachers for Future”.

1. In the climate role-play, two CPR classes took on the roles of states, NGOs and companies. How was the result?

The students also had to uphold their role as fossil energy lobbyists. The climate simulator comes into play in the discussion. It shows which measure has which effect on the climate and what it means if we are heading for an increase of more than two degrees. But without a future there is no profit for fossil industries either. So a package was put together to stay below two degrees. It’s possible with existing technology, but the problem is bigger than many thought.

2. How realistic is the result of the students?

That depends on how well lobbies manage to act as rationally as the students. If companies, politicians and the population don’t get the message, then it’s impossible.

3. Message of the game: The youth got it.

In any case, the students are much more advanced than the brakemen in politics and business. They are the hope for a better future. It’s complicated, but science explains everything anyway.