14.10.2022
Climate activist criticises German policy
Photo by: pixel1962 / iStock
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg considered it a “bad idea” for Germany to focus on coal when the country’s nuclear power plants have already been built, she told German public television. “If you already have them running, I think it is a mistake to shut them down and focus on coal,” Tunberg said.
The complete closure of nuclear power plants in Germany was originally planned for the end of this year. But Europe’s energy crisis has put that plan into question. The German government has agreed to a limited extension of the last two operating nuclear plants in the country for several months, including the coldest winter months. But the opposition is lobbying for a longer extension.
To somehow solve the country’s fuel shortage, the government has approved the reopening of several coal- and fuel oil-fired power plants to provide power in the winter. Despite formally phasing out coal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Germany has opened new coal mines in recent years. Nevertheless, the government has pledged to phase out coal by 2030.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the head of the Free Democrats (FDP), which advocates a free market, and the leader of the conservative opposition Christian-Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria, Markus Söder, supported Tunberg’s position.
“I applaud the words of Fridays for Future founder Greta Thunberg on preserving our network of nuclear power plants. In this energy war, anything that generates electricity must act,” Lindner said in a post on Twitter.
However, Lindner’s party is the only member of Olaf Scholz’s coalition government that seeks to extend the life of nuclear plants. The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the “environmental Greens” actively advocate the closure of nuclear plants. They were successful at the turn of the century when most of the plants were shut down after all.
According to Tunberg, the focus should be on renewable energy even during the crisis in Ukraine. She also stated that she understands the need to protect people from excessive energy costs, but at the same time people depend on energy and a system that is not sustainable.
Tunberg noted that climate change is still not seen as a global emergency. But even in times of global crises, such as a coronavirus pandemic or energy collapse, people should not lose sight of climate change.
Cover photo: Mourad Balti Touati / EPA
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