Nabu demands an end to climate-damaging major events

Environment - Nabu demands an end to climate-damaging major events

The environmental organization Nabu has demanded from the red-green Senate a departure from environmentally and climate-damaging large-scale events such as the Harley Days planned for this weekend. "If Hamburg really wants to take a leading role as a sustainable metropolis and achieve climate neutrality by 2045, then the Senate must also be prepared to finally set visible signs for a conscious social transformation," explained the chairman of the Hamburg branch of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu), Malte Siegert, on Thursday. This also includes canceling events such as the Cruise Days or the Harley Days.

Siegert emphasized that it could not be that decision-makers from politics, business, science, and civil society come from all over the world to Hamburg in October to discuss the consequences of the climate crisis, "and in our city center, every year unnecessarily fine dust and exhaust gases are blown into the air for the sake of entertainment." The Hanseatic City is hosting the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference on initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on the 7th and 8th of October. Among the guests are expected to be, among others, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

However, thousands of motorcycle riders and motorcycle riders are expected in the Hanseatic City already this weekend. A highlight of the Harley Days will be the traditional parade on Sunday, during which bikers and biker women ride through the city with their machines in a closed formation. Last year, around 5000 motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the parade.

1. Malte Siegert, from the Nature Conservation Association Germany, believes that major events like Harley Days contribute to climate damage and goes against Hamburg's aim to become a sustainable metropolis by 2045.
2. Addressing the climate crisis, Siegert pointed out the irony of discussing environmental issues while causing unnecessary pollution during events like Harley Days in Hamburg's city center.
3. During the upcoming Harley Days, thousands of motorcycle riders are expected to gather in Hamburg, leading to a significant increase in fine dust and exhaust fumes in the city center.
4. Climate activists like Siegert argue that these events, such as Harley Days and Cruise Days, are not aligned with Hamburg's commitment to addressing the climate crisis and promoting environmental stewardship.
5. Despite the environmental concerns, the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference is scheduled for the 7th and 8th of October, with prominent world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron, set to attend.
6. Amidst the colorful parade of Harley Days, the stark contrast between the celebration of machines and the city's environmental efforts becomes evident, highlighting the need for a harmonious balance for a sustainable and climate-conscious future.

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