Protest: Researchers make Figl monument blind

On September 25, 2019, the National Council struggled to recognize the climate emergency in Austria “a few days before the elections,” the assembled scientists around climate policy expert Reinhard Steurer explained at a press conference. However, the ‘viewing moment’ at the time, when politicians acted in accordance with scientific findings, became a ‘day of climate hypocrisy’ at the latest around the four-year anniversary. Because in 2023 the hope for concrete action against the climate crisis has more or less disappeared: he explained that he expects “nothing at all” from the government, which has now been in default on the climate protection law for about a thousand days. of natural resources and life sciences (Boku) working political scientists.

Researchers criticize the ‘sham climate policy’ of Figl’s successors
The researchers, including climate researcher Helga Kromp-Kolb and ecologist and ‘Scientist of the Year’ Franz Essl, described the ÖVP around Chancellor Karl Nehammer as a key factor for this. Figl’s image, provided with a bandage and a stopper by Steurer, is momentarily spared from looking at the blind eye and the “pseudo-climate policy” of his successors in the People’s Party. According to the scientist, anyone who sees the spirit of Figl, who does not take his eyes off the problems and their solutions, as more than just a PR tool, should be in favor of a rethink.

It is about taking responsibility instead of pointing fingers at others, and about focusing on cohesion instead of inciting climate demonstrators and division in society. Contrary to the progress once promised in climate and environmental protection, Austria is “on the way back”. This applies, for example, to the transport sector, where no politically sensible measures have been taken, says Barbara Laa of the Vienna University of Technology (TU). The only positive effects came from the pandemic and high fuel prices.

Speed ​​limits are “the most effective measure”
Apart from ‘populist narratives’, such as Nehammer’s description of Austria as the ‘car country par excellence’, speaking out against the end of combustion engines in 2035 and blocking discussions about reducing road speeds, the ÖVP has nothing to offer . In any case, according to Laa, the latter would be “the most effective individual measure” against the significantly high greenhouse gas emissions from “problem child” transport in Austria.

Science can demonstrate the contribution of climate change to increasing extreme events, such as summer floods in the south of the country. So the government must take the lead and understand what is changing and what can be done about it. “For us it is about Austria,” says Kromp-Kolb. The scientists would believe in the country and try to protect it.

High soil sealing and extinction of important species
In addition to economic indicators, you should also look at ‘green capital’, says Essl. Unfortunately, the current motto is: “Welcome to the sixth major extinction event” in Earth’s history – the first to be caused and driven by humans. If you look at the topic of soil sealing, it becomes clear how carelessly Austria handles its resources: the area of ​​​​all domestic Bundesliga stadiums is covered with concrete every day. The government must finally face these problems, the ecologist emphasized.

This also applies to the healthcare system, which must be made ‘climate suitable’, explains Lukas Kenner of the Medical University of Vienna. The pathologist explained that in Austria there are already about twice as many deaths from heat per year as from traffic accidents. Invasive species would worsen allergies and immigrant insects could spread new infectious diseases. Politicians are therefore obliged to “face the facts,” Kenner said.