Last weekend, climate conferences for a 'green European Parliament' were held in dozens of cities in twelve EU countries. Tens of thousands of people took part. According to the organizers, it was a clear expression that European citizens are taking the climate crisis seriously.
' We want a EU that adjusts agricultural support and helps farmers on a path that is not in constant conflict with the natural basis. We want a EU that puts climate action first and ensures that all countries comply with the Paris Agreement, said Marie Reumert Gjerding, president of the Danish Nature Conservation Association, at a march in the Danish capital Copenhagen.
In the Netherlands, demonstrations took place in a luxurious office district in Amsterdam South where many multinationals have their head offices. A speech was given there by the chairman of the largest Dutch trade union federation.
FNV chairman Tuur Elzinga did not dare to say whether the attempt to strike a chord with the Zuidas companies at their Friday afternoon drinks had been successful. “A lot of people are afraid of climate change and a lot of people are afraid of climate policy. The benefits and burdens are unfairly distributed.”
That is why the largest trade union also took part in the march. “I hope that companies will quickly start working on the climate, and not only when they are forced to do so. And together with the people on the work floor, because they know best what needs to be done.”
The People's Climate March is a party-political independent event organized by volunteers from the participating EU countries. The People's Climate March pursues a number of concrete objectives, such as European climate neutrality by 2040, 30 percent. protected nature in the EU, more climate aid to vulnerable countries and greener agriculture.