Two climate activists were actually supposed to appear in court, but instead they set off on a trip to Asia. The fact that they need a plane to do this is now heating up a debate.

In the controversy over two climate activists who are criticized for their long-distance flight to Asia, the climate protection group “Last Generation” itself complains about double standards. The organization said on Twitter Thursday that it understands the negative feelings that arise when members of the "Last Generation" get on a plane.

But it is also double standards to demolish a place like Lützerath by a “climate chancellor”.

What happened?

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Yannick S. (24) and Luisa S. (22) blocked Bundesstrasse 10 near Stuttgart in September. “Save oil instead of drilling” is the demand on their banners.

The debate itself was triggered by a report in the “Bild” newspaper on Wednesday, which said that two climate activists in Stuttgart are due to appear in court because they and other activists blocked a federal highway (B 10) last fall and were there had stuck.

A woman who was called as a witness and a man who was accused are accused of flying to Bali instead of appearing in court, thereby causing around 7.9 tons of CO₂. This sparked a discussion on social media, as well as some political representatives who took a critical stance. The Parliamentary Managing Director of the FDP in the Bundestag, Torsten Herbst, tweeted, among other things, about the “climate glue and their double standards”.

“Discussed with the court…”

According to a statement from Last Generation, the two people who are being criticized flew to Thailand because of their long-distance trip and not to Bali. This decision was agreed with the court.

Climate activists emphasize that individual behavior is of great importance and that political engagement against climate change often requires adapting one's own life. However, such a change in life is not a prerequisite for political protest

“They booked the flight as private individuals, not as part of their environmental protection activities. You have to differentiate.”

A spokesman for the organization “Last Generation” justified the actions of the two climate activists to the “Bild” newspaper

Greenpeace, however, expressed criticism

According to media reports, Greenpeace spokesman Gregor Kessler said:

“You should carefully consider whether a long-distance journey by plane is absolutely necessary. We recommend local holiday destinations and traveling by train.”

Gregor Kessler, spokesman for Greenpeace

At what point is it double standards?

A Facebook user, on the other hand, asks a serious question that he doesn't think is easy to answer. This is:

What do you actually mean?

Are environmental activists, for example from Last Generation, also allowed to fly on vacation? Are they allowed to surf the Internet? Are they allowed to drive a car? Use a modern cell phone? Or do they – to put it more pointedly – ​​have to live in caves with candles? So how well do you have to save energy in order to be able to actively support climate protection? And what about people who only support the last generation? From how many kilometers by car or plane you are no longer allowed to do this. At what point is it “double standards”? This is a serious question. And I find them very difficult to answer. (Source: Facebook )


On to the fact checks

Also read:
Can you drag climate activists off the streets yourself?
Yes, the climate glue with the asphalt hand is an actor!
Climate activists make fake emergency call!
Hate on the Internet – The proportion of those affected is growing.
A misleading graphic trivializes deaths caused by climate change


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