We hope that the climate goals are not forgotten!
2020
We hope that the climate goals are not forgotten!
As we all know, the climate crisis is a major topic for all of us, and especially for young people. At the end of April 2020, ANIJ interviewed Jerry, a young climate activist from Luxembourg, who was interviewed on behalf of Youth for Climate Luxembourg about the current situation and the climate crisis.
ANIJ: A lot of us have been staying at home for more than one month already. To contain the pandemic, the government took numerous measures. Does it make sense to compare the coronavirus crisis to the climate crisis?
Jerry: At first it is important to be clear that climate change has no direct impact on the coronavirus crisis, according to the WHO (World Health Organization). Nonetheless, some elements can be compared. Covid-19 and climate change should be considered as crises of politics and for the general public. This is very clear for the current sanitary crisis, but unfortunately not for climate change, neither for politics nor for the general public. This is due to the fact that the consequences of the current crisis affect the individual citizen directly. The climate crisis is a more abstract danger.
Another possible comparison is the importance of international solidarity. In times of crisis, every form of cooperation is needed. The current crisis shows the limits of this much needed solidarity. Countries focus on their own needs and close their borders; this strengthens nationalistic tendencies more then stopping the propagation of the virus. And this harms a lot of people, for example refugees.
Other comparisons are difficult and some are even dangerous, because the crises are very different and need appropriate measures. But I dare say that on the basis of this crisis, one sees that prohibitions and limitations are effective. Imagine, the government would only rely on trusting the population and their common sense. Without clear prohibitions from the ministers, many more people would not comply. But this is exactly what is happening in the case of climate change: politics shy away from taking clear and effective measures like laws and leave the responsibility with the people.
ANIJ: What do you expect from the politics and the population, is there a change in mindset?
At the moment, we cannot talk about change. The measures are not the consequences of a change in mindset. These are clear prohibitions and limitations that force people to stay at home. As I said before, if we didn’t have these prohibitions our streets wouldn't be so empty. A change regarding the climate crisis must also start with politics. We really hope that the climate goals are not forgotten.
ANIJ: How is the situation for young people? Did the current crisis change anything?
A real change probably not. For sure, there are young people asking to help. But it is not true to say that youngsters are suddenly showing more solidarity. In any case we haven’t noticed a change that would be positive for the climate movement.
ANIJ: What can I personally do to reduce the impact on the environment?
For sure you can lead a carbon reduced life: less meat, don’t buy from corporations that harm the climate, more public transport (well, right now stay at home, but later...)
But that should be regardless of the coronavirus crisis and also not be the focus of climate activism. Like I said, change has to come from politics. As an individual, you can put pressure on politicians.
And that is exactly what we, Youth for Climate, try to do.
You, if you are reading this, are free to support us. We meet every Tuesday at 5 o’clock (for the moment by video call) and we think about how we can get the government to change. If you don’t have time, you should inform yourself on the topic and participate the way it suits you.
ANIJ: What are the next steps? Since demonstrations are not possible for the moment…
Physical demonstrations are not possible. But we work on getting loud about climate change anyway. We are going to publish in the near future specific claims about what we expect from the government in this special situation. There will be online demonstrations and presentations about climate change every Friday on YouTube and Zoom, which are organised by the International Friday for Future movement.
ANIJ: What are the impacts of the climate crisis on Luxembourg?
The first thing to say is that we as Europeans are not the main victims. Compared to the global south, we are not really concerned by the first phase of the crisis. This doesn't mean that we should be inactive. Because we, the western populations, are mainly responsible for the climate crisis. And we have to be prepared for a whole lot of problems, for example:
a huge number of refugees, low estimations speak about 200-250 million climate refugees (IPCC), other sources about 1 billion.
more natural disasters
more pandemics
melting of glaciers
more aridness
bad crops
floods
fires
… (the list is long)
