20261114 Klimastreik vor dem Kanzleramt

Together in Berlin

Yesterday, Friday the 13th, there was another climate strike in Germany, and in Berlin, people gathered in front of the Chancellery to point out that Chancellor Merz is currently skipping the COP in Antalya, Turkey, and would rather celebrate his own birthday than take care of the country. And this despite the fact that climate change is now a concern not only for young people but also for the business community — whose interests he otherwise always prioritizes.

The world is negotiating its future — and Friedrich Merz stays away

... writes Fridays for Future in its call to action for yesterday’s demonstration. The chancellor isn’t even traveling to the World Climate Conference in Antalya. Back home, together with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), he is dismantling climate protection measures. Reiche wants to cut subsidies for solar roofs and slow down the expansion of wind power. In Brussels, Merz fought to keep internal combustion engines on the roads longer. In barely a year and a half, the two are undoing what the climate movement painstakingly wrested from previous governments.

The appeal concludes with the following statement: Young people aren’t just protesting for themselves. They’re also striking for their grandparents, who have to endure the next heat wave in a stuffy apartment. And for families on the Pacific islands whose homes are sinking into the sea. We believe: They must not be left to face this alone. The demands on the government are clear:

Reinforce the Climate Protection Act — reintroduce binding sectoral targets and make a clear commitment to strong climate protection in Germany

Drive forward the energy transition — with a plan to phase out natural gas by 2035 and an immediate revision of the power plant strategy toward 100% renewables.

Launch immediate programs for transportation and buildings — with a socially just heating transition, an affordable “Deutschlandticket,” expansion of the rail network, and an end to fossil fuel subsidies.

Many speakers backed up these demands with concrete examples. In particular, the speech by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research highlighted the enormous annual costs of climate change to society and the economy. And these costs are rising year after year. While we may still be able to shoulder them now, our children will no longer have that chance if we do not act now.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)