Three young climate activists blocked traffic in Graz on Monday. How the sociologist Ilona Otto assessed the action.
„krone“:Mrs Otto, does a controversial move like Monday’s in Graz help us with the climate crisis?
Ilona Otto: It would of course be best if climate policy was a bit further, so that young people could relax. But decision-makers currently have other priorities. Such actions are designed to build pressure.
Roads are blocked, appointments are missed, drivers are annoyed. Is that justifiable?
I understand very well the young people who do this. They themselves do not occupy influential positions with which they can make a difference. You feel powerless, you see no other options because you just can’t move on.
But isn’t that the exact opposite?
It’s hard to say because I understand the frustration of drivers stuck in traffic. But the roads can also be blocked by flooding – and that will happen in the future because of climate change if we do nothing. What it certainly does: even more attention. Social media makes things like this widespread. And that’s where the discourse comes in. Previous campaigns have already shown this.
Why don’t they stick to more harmless actions?
Although young people have already received a lot of attention through Fridays for Future, we are not yet far enough to take decisive steps in climate policy. And there is little time left to act!
What do you think would be a solution?
Activists should probably focus even more on decision-makers and the more affluent. This attention is needed to finally recognize the priority.
more focused?
I don’t want to call for action, but that would mean besieging oil companies and other companies that cause environmental damage. This is difficult, however, because the police or security service usually intervene immediately.
Where do you think the boundaries lie?
No one should be harmed. As the example of Berlin shows, young people must ensure that escape routes are always clear. Unfortunately, harmless actions don’t have much effect anymore – although it would of course be better if you didn’t have to.
Doesn’t that create a dangerous split in society?
She’s already broken up. But what is important is that it is about the future of our children and grandchildren, for whom everything else is done: they are taken to school or to sports, for example. The environmental conditions may even make it too dangerous for them to play outside in the future, or worse, starve them as a result of climate disasters. It’s not for or against drivers, it’s about our existence!
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
