Environmental Hazard: The Earth faces the threat of a rapidly changing climate, with levels of CO2 set to exceed critical limits in the coming decades. This is resulting in increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. It's important that we take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and find ways to adapt to this new reality. - Climate protesters end their fasting.
The Climate Hunger Strike in Berlin has reached its conclusion, as announced by the campaign "Fast Until Honesty" on the fifth day of May. This declaration came after Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed to instigate a change in climate protection policies or engage in conversations about the matter. Consequently, the activists have decided to cease their efforts.
Eight individuals participated in this strike at different periods, aiming to persuade Scholz to make an official government statement. The statement was to contain his acknowledgement of the imminent threat posed by the climate crisis, the excessive concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the absence of remaining carbon dioxide budget, and the necessity for a dramatic transformation. However, the participants expressed their dismay, claiming, "Scholz chooses to discuss symptom management rather than speaking the truth about the climate crisis."
Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick, a dedicated activist, started this action on March 7th and went without food for a total of 92 days, while Richard Cluse abstained from food for 77 days. Additional participants joined the cause later on.
The activists had been consuming limited amounts of juice along with other liquids to support their energy levels. Occasionally, Metzeler-Kick and fellow activist Adrian Lack stopped drinking juice, which resulted in a medical emergency for Metzeler-Kick and a hospital visit. Lack, who allegedly spent 37 days in the hunger strike, voiced his criticism of the media, stating, "The media have not reported extensively and have often misconstrued our demands."
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The climate protests in Germany, led by activists like Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick, have seen demonstrations in Berlin and beyond, advocating for stricter climate policies and action from the German government. Despite these demonstrations, the SPD-led government, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has yet to significantly shift its stance on climate change.
The hunger strike, organized by "Fast Until Honesty," highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for government action. Participants, such as Metzeler-Kick and Richard Cluse, abstained from food for extended periods to draw attention to this issue.
The media response to the hunger strike was not extensive, according to one of the participants, Lack, who expressed his disappointment in the way their demands were reported or misunderstood. This lack of media coverage has only intensified the protests and demonstrations in support of stricter climate policies.
The heralded end of the hunger strike in Berlin comes after the activists felt their demands for honesty and urgent climate action were not adequately addressed by Chancellor Scholz. The conclusion of the strike does not mean an end to the protests; rather, it marks the evolution of the movement into more traditional demonstrations and activism.
