Thousands of people in Germany took to the streets on Friday, responding to the call from “Fridays for Future” to participate in climate protests under the slogan “We have a right to a future.” In Berlin, the police estimated that around 8,000 people attended, while in Hamburg, organizers reported 7,500 participants. In Hannover, the police counted approximately 2,200 demonstrators, with the organizers estimating a turnout of 2,000. In Leipzig, around 1,500 people showed up.
Climate activist Luisa Neubauer spoke at the rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate, saying, “This election campaign is, quite honestly, a disaster when it comes to climate change.” She criticized politicians for not understanding the science and for taking on responsibility for Germany while failing to address the climate crisis.
Fridays for Future demands that Germany become climate-neutral within the next decade. As one of the countries that have historically contributed the most to the climate crisis and has a strong economy, Germany is expected to take a leading role in reducing emissions and making a fair contribution to the global effort. The group is calling for a “mobility and heat guarantee” to ensure that climate protection is affordable and accessible for all, with the government providing support through simple and socially just incentives where necessary.
To achieve the climate goals, the organization is also advocating for an “education and training offensive” to train 300,000 new professionals in the future industries of solar panel installation, heat pump installation and public transportation every year. These professionals should receive fair wages and good working conditions, according to the group.
The group also believes that the transformation to a climate-neutral society should be financed by those who have contributed the most to the climate crisis, specifically the super-rich, who should be taxed more heavily to contribute to the transition. For disaster relief and measures to protect against the already occurring consequences of global warming, the activists are calling for a central fund, which would be financed by a tax on “fossil companies.