Twenty-two-year-old Elisa Baş is a press officer at Fridays For Future and a student of chemistry and geography in Hamburg. She is committed to climate justice with a focus on those most affected by the consequences of the climate crisis. As part of her activism, Elisa also campaigns for anti-racism and refugees. She spoke to KOPFZEILE about Lützerath, the Greens and the future of the climate justice movement.

The fact that climate change is a bad thing should no longer come as a surprise. Nonetheless: 1.5 °C are (STILL!) possible, somehow at least. These are the two main points to which the so-called final report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published on Monday, March 20, 2023 is reduced. But what is that supposed to be – a final report on climate change? Our author Verena questions exactly that.

In Australia, Mexico, Germany – climate activists are criminalised around the world. When they’re taken into custody by the police during demonstrations or direct actions, they risk disproportionate repression. And they’re fighting for all of us: For the people in the global south, who are losing their livelihoods today, for the future generations and for an inhabitable planet. Our author Tabea is sure: Climate activism is not a crime!

For almost two years, activists have been occupying Lützerath to prevent the advancement of brown coal mining by energy group RWE. In the beginning of January 2023, this occupation is supposed to be cleared illegally by the police. Our author provides an overview of the „Lützerath lebt“ (English: “Lützerath is alive“) initiative in the context of climate activism in Germany.