Climate activists in Germany caused significant disruptions at two airports on Thursday as they glued themselves to the runways in protest against mass transit pollution. The activists, from a group called Last Generation, demanded stricter government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and immediate plans to cut emissions in the transportation sector. They accused officials of lacking a strategy to tackle the climate crisis.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing criticized the activists, stating, “The Last Generation isn’t protecting the climate, they’re engaged in criminal activity.” The group responded by stating, “Instead of presenting a concrete plan to prevent this and to reach the emissions-reduction target called for by law, the Transport Ministry is relying on ‘technological flexibility.'”
At Hamburg Airport, nine unauthorized people entered the airfield, with eight of them gluing themselves to the tarmac. As a result, the airport suspended flights at around 6 a.m. Meanwhile, at Düsseldorf Airport, seven people successfully glued themselves to the runway, although authorities managed to unstuck half of the protesters after several hours.
The disruptions caused delays, cancellations, and diversions for 46 flights at Hamburg Airport. The protest coincided with the start of school summer vacations in the city.
The activists will face charges of disturbing the peace, coercive behavior, and dangerous interference with aviation. Transport Minister Wissing and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann accused the protesters of dividing society and ruining the vacations of others. Wissing has previously blocked proposals to cut emissions from air and road travel.
Last Generation insists that its protests are peaceful, although disruptive. However, motorists facing delays due to the group blocking roads have sometimes attacked the activists.
In May, German prosecutors raided the homes of several Last Generation members on suspicion of forming or supporting a criminal organization.
The climate crisis and the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have become significant global concerns. Activists around the world are demanding that governments take immediate and decisive steps to combat climate change.