Interview series
For 22-year-old Jakob Zimmer, there is hardly anything more important than getting the climate crisis under control quickly. That’s why he joined the Greens. He would like the older generation to show more solidarity.
The climate is going down the drain. Corona has closed the universities. And we all no longer get a pension anyway. Shortly before the general election, many young people feel they have been left alone by politics. Their perspectives and interests hardly take place in the election campaign. The “” campaign by the non-profit organization “” aims to make them heard.
The “Unmute Now” team has been traveling across Germany in a bus since August 23, 2021. Her goal: to get into conversation with young people and to make their voices visible. The team meets 22-year-old Jakob Zimmer in Berlin. He wants older generations to show more solidarity – and that the climate crisis will finally be taken seriously.
Are you going to vote on September 26th?
Jakob Zimmer: Yes, I will vote. I believe it is the duty of everyone who is entitled to vote to take part in democratic elections. The elections are particularly important for young people because they are about our future.
What is the most important topic for you when choosing?
The most important issue is the climate crisis. As a budding urban planner, the issues of mobility and living are also very important to me. The turnaround in traffic in the city and especially in the countryside is proceeding too slowly.
Are your interests represented by the established parties?
Politicians need to listen more to young voters. For me only Die Grünen and Annalena Baerbock take our worries and wishes seriously. Because they really want to fight the climate crisis, I joined the Greens this year.
How do you perceive the election campaign so far?
It bothers me that there is too much talk about candidate missteps. It should be about content. I understand that after 16 years, Merkel’s main concern is her successor. But we forget that we are only voting for the Bundestag and not the new Chancellor.
What does the new federal government have to do first?
In its coalition agreement, the new federal government should align all issues in such a way that the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement can be met. The current policies of the CDU and SPD make that impossible.
Many young people feel neglected by politics. What do you think is that?
Many things were blocked or ignored by the old federal government, for example the legalization of cannabis, the extremely late opening of marriage to everyone, or lax climate protection. Many also have the feeling that politics ignores the reality of young people’s lives.
What would have to change so that more young people get involved in politics?
Political parties have to break down hurdles and take young members seriously. They are not only helpers in the election campaign, but they should also be able to apply for offices and mandates. I think we need more young people in parliaments because they decide the future of the young generation.
Are you afraid or are you hoping for the future?
I am not afraid of the future, but I believe that fear of change pushes people into the arms of the parties and people who stand for “business as usual”. I think we should be more afraid of “business as usual” in current politics rather than of the changes that will be necessary in the future. Otherwise, the young generation will have to pay for the sleepy opportunities in the coming decades.
What do you wish for the future?
I would like older people to approach the young in society more and ask them which topics are important to them. I have respect for life experience and what older generations have done for Germany. But this federal election is primarily about the future of young people. So that we can live well in this country, we need a policy that takes the climate crisis seriously.
What would you like to say to the next Federal Chancellor?
Do everything you can to ensure that your policies ensure compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement and that the climate crisis is finally taken seriously.
Note: As part of the “Unmute Now” bus tour, external moderators ask young people the most important questions about the federal election in 2021. The star publishes the interview series.
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