What both climate activists and climate skeptics must agree on: in principle, waste belongs in the garbage can and not in the gutter. But what if there’s no trash can within reach, but you’re stuck at a freeway exit? Does the climate emergency also justify illegal removal?
Glue bottle ends up in the drain
A climate activist apparently came to the conclusion: Yes. Much to the dismay of SVP National Councilor Andreas Glarner (60). He shared a video clip on Twitter that captures the takedown: “A supposedly concerned climate chaos lingers and just throws the plastic glue bottle down the drain,” he says indignantly.
German video after Swiss incident
However, Glarner hides the origin of the video. He posted the tweet a few hours after Tuesday’s protest, which saw climate activists clinging to the A6 in Bern. But the video has nothing to do with this.
The film that Glarner shares comes from Germany, if you take a closer look at the banner with the tickets for 9 euros.
Glarner was aware of that. He does not think his followers are being misled by this. “The climate chaos is networked internationally,” he told Blick. There is real climate chaos tourism. “People come from Germany and initiate such actions in Switzerland.”
Only: there is no evidence that German activists were involved in the Bern demo.
Glarner wants to act against this
In any case, Glarner is very annoyed by the fact that activists occupy streets: “They block people from going to work, and also ambulances.” The SVP man therefore announces that he will take action against this. In the winter session, he will propose a new offense – “in a nutshell: intentionally blocking traffic”.
It is doubtful whether this is necessary. The activists in Bern can already file a report, because obstructing traffic and obstructing public transport is already punishable.
University professor stuck at the A6
University professor Julia Steinberger (48) is also threatened with reporting and in the worst case fired. The professor of ecological economics at the University of Lausanne took part in the campaign. Of course she fears the consequences, she explained to “20 minutes”. But she’s ready to lose her job: “If my commitment means sacrificing myself, so be it. It would be worth it.”
She entered because she is a specialist and knows that the world is in an existential climate crisis. “It is extremely important to understand that professors are also citizens of this country and that they too can criticize the state from an academic point of view and draw attention to abuses,” Steinberger said.
Other actions failed
She joined because she had encountered all the other attempts so far: she had already written several articles and presented her ideas to the government – without success.
She wasn’t just clinging to herself. The organization Renovate Switzerland is behind the campaign. She is calling for the immediate provision of four billion francs to train an additional 100,000 people in the professions of thermal renovation of buildings.
The University of Lausanne supports the public engagement of academics. “However, when it comes to civil disobedience, the University of Lausanne cannot always replace the judiciary,” the university told “20 minutes”.