“Last generation” is not crazy, but could do something for climate protection

Opinion

Those of the “last generation” see orange-colored vests and gray asphalt, stoic gluers and rabid drivers, beer seriousness and self-empowerment. A few days ago, Carla Hinrichs, spokeswoman for climate protection, explained how often she is arrested (“almost every day”), how many months in prison she was sentenced to (two) and why she still sticks to the streets (“Future of the Humanity”). There is no lack of self-sacrifice – but is that why you are “crazy”, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz called you?

Is the “last generation” crazy?

Sound and action on climate protection have become rough on both sides. Activists are being snatched off the streets, and they themselves never miss an opportunity to accuse the federal government in general and its boss in particular of violating their own laws or even the constitution. It doesn’t go below that anymore. And what follows in the arguments of climate protectionists is actually only the end of the world. Not tomorrow or the day after, but shortly after.

Is that crazy? A little. Does worry about the future justify malice by the old and powerful? Rather not. Oddly enough, climate protection of all things manages to open up more and more rifts in society. that the topic creates more divisions than immigration or corona politics. Although the Germans are convinced of its importance by a large majority, the how separates the fronts all the more sharply. And also the question of who should now start to stop with the climate-damaging behavior: citizens, politics or the economy?

Cause and solution: all of us

Behind this is of course the search for the culprit. It is obvious that we are all responsible – old and young, powerful and powerless: the post-war generation with their love of cars, the boomers who eat too much meat, Generation X and their urge to fly everywhere, the millennials, who shop too much at Amazon and the zoomers who stream completely empty streams. And the rulers? If they don’t just run around headless or sit around idly, they can’t please anyone anyway. See phase-out of nuclear power, see Heating Act.

In fact, however, a large number of climate protectionists continue to act as if the men and women in suits alone are responsible, while individuals and their behavior are declared taboo. Unfortunately, there are people behind all this – the cause and solution for these problems. The banal realization that we all have to work our ass off in order to slow down climate change at least a little was recently emphasized again. What does this mean for the “Last Generation” professional alarmists?

How about something specific?

They don’t really have to convince anyone about climate protection anymore. Instead of being self-important and, in case of doubt, going to jail, something could actually be done with all the commitment, the time and the necessary money. Something concrete, something that encourages imitation or participation. Something that inspires or can even earn money with, if desired. Moore, for example, are among the most effective CO2 stores. Why don’t they help to protect these landscapes or open up new areas? They could open restaurants that only serve insect dishes. Or, even simpler: They offer advice to people who would like to do more to protect the climate in their everyday lives, but don’t know how. There are probably 3000 things that are more helpful than being dragged away by motorists and being insulted by chancellors. You can’t just specify that.