The climate strikers movement is returning. Or at least he tries. After several months of absence largely caused by the health crisis, environmental activists presented their new “crisis action plan” on Monday. Convinced that the pandemic has only underscored the urgency of changing the model of society, they demand swift and drastic measures in favor of the environment. Deprived of its urban strike force and faced with a health crisis that is turning into an economic crisis, the movement may, however, have to struggle to regain the momentum it enjoyed last year.
Also read: Actions dispersed in Switzerland on the occasion of the “Strike for the future”
“Ban all flights in Europe”
The press videoconference included five supporters, each at home, reading a press release in turn. The climate strikers have not disappeared; stripped of the crowd and militant chants, however, they find it more difficult to arouse enthusiasm. No matter what, their desire for change is intact: “The pandemic has shown that we must listen to science in order to respond appropriately to crisis situations, judges the preamble of their action plan. Major changes are now inevitable to tackle the resolution of the health crisis and aim for a climate-friendly future. ” The strikers’ proposals are numerous and concern all sections of society.
Also read: Climate strikers’ resounding campaign
First, the investment sector: the movement suggests making the installation of solar panels compulsory on any house with a roof that allows it, and proposes the creation of a “climate fund” endowed with 50 billion francs. The latter would be intended to guarantee the cash needed to reach the “net zero 2030” objective. A “concrete plan” for financial institutions is also expected by the end of the year to achieve this goal.
Then employment: strikers support the creation of a “public office for green work” intended to cushion the social consequences due to the health crisis while moving towards a non-carbon society and demand a reduction in working hours weekly at 32 hours on four working days at the same salary. Aviation also takes it for its grade: introduction of emission quotas, ban on short-haul flights – “all flights in Europe” – and helps retraining employees in the sector. Finally, the movement advocates cities entirely free of cars, the end of intensive farming or the promotion of local agriculture.
Read again: Augustin Fragnière: “The economic recovery risks being accompanied by a rebound in CO2 emissions”
Continue mobilization without demonstrations
The decor is set, but what are its chances of success? “Our measures are not utopian, defends Steven Tamburini, activist and spokesperson for the climate strike. Since it is no longer possible to wait, we have to make proposals, which we are doing here. The action plan has been sent to all parliamentarians. I emphasize that we have been working on this project for nine months. The coronavirus has only highlighted the vulnerabilities of society that we have previously denounced, while highlighting the contradictions of bourgeois parties who claim to want to solve the climate crisis while supporting airlines without asking them for ecological compensation. A large part of the population no longer wants that. ” Despite the current ban on assembly, the young man says he is optimistic: “The crisis can also represent an opportunity. It’s up to us to find new ways to talk to people, to get involved in education, to strengthen relationships with farmers. ” In the medium term, the activist concedes, however, to want to “continue the mass mobilizations”.
While the ban on meeting with more than five may soon be over, the possibility of re-forming huge crowds may be long overdue. “As the parties continue to function despite the crisis, the climate strikers movement is highly dependent on its ability to occupy public space, analyzes Johan Rochel, co-founder of the Citizen Appeal movement and former vice-president of the think tank Foraus. The coronavirus therefore particularly handicaps them, since they do not exist in traditional political structures. “
A few days before the opening of the parliamentary session in June, climate strikers could however benefit from a boost from their contemporaries. This Wednesday, a “climate alliance” formed by the youths of the Greens, Vert’libéraux, of the Socialist Party but also of the PBD and the PDC will ask the parties from which it arises to support the most ambitious motions within the framework of the revision. of the CO2 law. However, the center of the political spectrum will be essential to obtain majorities on the subject.
–
