Climate group to shut down Berlin with fresh protest

Emmanuel Thomas, with DPA l Tuesday, April 18, 2023

BERLIN – The climate group Last Generation will try to paralyse Berlin indefinitely with a new wave of protest next week, with the first actions starting in central Berlin on Wednesday, the group said.

“We will peacefully make the city pause,” said spokesperson Carla Hinrichs at a press conference on Tuesday.

Details of the protests, including location and specific actions planned, are usually kept secret. Police have previously taken strict action against anything illegal.

Disruptions in the central government district are planned to start Wednesday. Then on Monday, the group plans to “bring the city to a peaceful standstill.”

Some 800 activists have signed up for this.

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The group is demanding that a social council be established to develop measures so that Germany can eliminate its use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal or gas by 2030.

Scientists and politicians doubt this is possible so quickly.

Obtaining that goal by 2030 would require the elimination of cars with combustion engines and all gas and oil heating as well as gas and coal-fired power plants within seven years. The climate group nevertheless expects support for its demands.

Hinrichs confirmed that the protest is planned for an indefinite period, but the government could stop the blockades if it set up the social council or presented a plan to reach the 1.5-degree target.

This means a global warming of no more than 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. With the currently foreseeable climate protection measures, scientists estimate that the earth is heading for a much stronger warming of up to 2.8 degrees – with consequences such as increased storms, floods, droughts, crop failures and famine.