Thread on the hunger strike for climate action in Berlin and my reaction to being mentioned in today's press release by the group.
For the past 61 days, a climate activist, Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick, has been on ("wet") hunger strike in central Berlin. He was subsequently joined by now three others. One activist's medical condition is reported to be critical now. The public has not taken very much notice.
Reports are that he is determined to die, if need be.
The group's demand is for the German chancellor to publicly declare climate heating to be an existential challenge that needs action.
Today, a large group of "Scientists for Future" published a statement. It states that the factual analysis regarding the urgency of the situation with respect to climate heating is, overall, in accordance with the findings of science.
We share the activist's concerns.
I signed, as did many others.
Today, the group released a press statement mentioning me by name as "supporting their action".
I'd like to say clearly and unequivocally that I share their concern and analysis in its essence, but I do NOT support their action, namely a continuation of their hunger strike.
Not only can a democratic government not allow itself to be extorted in this manner - this is not how democracy works.
What is more, I am engaged in the protection of Earth to safeguard life. All life.
In the statement I signed with other scientists, we also formulate something the group's press release neglects to mention: With much respect for their determination and in full acknowledgement of the magnitude of the action needed, we do not support that a hunger strike is the right, appropriate form of action. We call on them to not endanger their lives and health - i.e. to end their action before it is too late, and convert it to something else.
Also, there are many avenues to advance action against the ecological destabilisation of Earth. Urgency, yes. Extortion through threatened death - is NOT something I can support.
I understand the potential symbolic power of their physical action - sacrificing the ultimate own to try and wake up society to the common good. But I cannot and will not support death. I call on the hunger strikers to end their course of self-destruction and re-engage.
When does the inalienable right of a person to choose their own fate end - and the responsibility of society, even of supporters, begin - to intervene, if at all possible, in order to save lives?
And yes: the group's factual statements require attention by everybody.
PPS: a day and two iterations later, the group has updated its press statement to now correctly reflect our statement.
So back to what we share: our deep concern about the magnitude of the emerging climate crisis, the degree of public complacency about it, the lack of political commitment to required action. We know about what's developing, but we hesitate to take the warnings seriously.
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