Activists
Youth v. Gov (Our Children's Trust) - Vic Barrett
"For me, climate change is a reality. A reality that is already impacting my life." Vic belongs to a group of more than 20 teenagers who are suing the US federal government ("Juliana v. United States"). They accuse the government of violating their fundamental rights to life, liberty and property by supporting fossil fuels that promote climate change. The case attracted a lot of attention, as the Constitution has never been used to tackle climate change. Vic spoke to the United Nations about the process and the major problem of climate change. He studies political and environmental sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Plant for the Planet - Felix Finkbeiner
"Stop talking. Start planting!" At the age of 9, Felix founded the NGO "Plant for the Planet". He was looking for a solution to the problems of climate change. Originally from a small village near Munich, the 22-year-old has been doing his doctorate in the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences at ETH Zurich since September 2018. "Plant for the Planet" has become a worldwide youth movement that has already planted more than 15 billion seedlings and turned some 7,000 children into climate ambassadors.
Pacific Garbage Screening (new: everwave) - Marcella Hansch
"All of us can do something." Marcella is an architect and founder of "Pacific Garbage Screening" (new: everwave). The concept was the subject of her master's thesis in architecture. While diving on holiday she became aware of the mass of plastic in our seas and decided to do something about it. Marcella and her research team (consisting of various scientists from biology, civil engineering, geography, waste management and process engineering) are working on a specially designed platform floating in the water, which filters plastic particles from the water.
Extinction Rebellion - Zion Lights
"Going out into the streets to make a difference, just like our forebears." Zion is a British author and activist, known for her work in environmental and science communication. She wrote the evidence-based, non-fictional book "The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting" and has a Master of Science in Science Communication from the University of the West of England (UWE). Zion is a UK spokesperson for the non-violent global movement Extinction Rebellion (XR) and editor-in-chief of the ER newspaper The Hourglass, which has been in existence since September 2019. She protests to raise awareness of climate change and believes that only high levels of civil disobedience can bring about the change needed.
Ende Gelände - Nike Mahlhaus
"System change instead of climate change!" Nike studies social sciences in Berlin. The 25-year-old is a spokeswoman for the anti-coal movement "Ende Gelände". Since 2015, "Ende Gelände" has persuaded thousands of people to occupy coal mines in Germany and hold out there. Since July 2019, the campaign has included 59 local groups fighting with civil disobedience for climate justice and against the climate crisis. The movement calls for an immediate coal phase-out and a decisive socio-ecological and systemic change away from capitalism.
Fridays for Future - Luisa Neubauer
"We must act now!" Luisa is a German climate protection activist. The 22-year-old is one of the main organisers of the Greta Thunberg inspired school strike movement "Fridays for Future" in Germany. She supports the implementation of Agenda 2030 in Germany and a climate policy that adheres to the Paris Accord. Luisa is a member of the Green Party and Green Youth. She is a member of numerous organisations fighting for climate protection, generational justice and against global poverty.