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 AStA of the University of Hamburg and the Network for an Alternative Quest call it an unprecedented attack on academic freedom. Nevertheless, the university withdrew the rooms for the conference “We want our World back!” This was preceded by the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s (Verfassungsschutz) suspicion that extremists might be present at the conference. What happened there?

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!