Contribution to the 2nd Global Climate Strike in Bonn by “Scientists for Future” Climate action now! Because it is not enough to know.

May 29, 2019 - By zefblog

Yesterday somebody told me on the bus that he was uncertain whether climate change was really that bad; he under the impression that scientist had not even succeeded in agreeing to the relevant numbers as yet. Fair enough! Instead of hiding behind model simulations and endless case studies we, the scientists need to do a better job getting the message across:

Climate change is a reality.

Climate change is a reality. It can neither be stopped nor reversed. It will soon hit us harder than we are able to image it at the moment. Things could either get merely bad or they could get worse. They are certainly not going to get any better without any action. And even then, all climate action will help with is reducing the negative impact. We need radical change.

Climate action should start right now. There is no time to lose!

Do young people understand this message better, because it is after all their future that hesitant politics is putting at risk? The “Fridays for Future” Movement of pupils and youth was joined by ZEF staff today. We wanted to express support to the young people and show that “Scientists for Future” are producing important knowledge on climate change impacts, and may suggest effective mitigation and adaptation strategies – all of which will be of no use if not followed by climate action.

It is not knowledge uncertainty but clearly the lack of political will by law makers, municipalities and enterprises that prevents climate action. And policy and legislation need to be implemented and practiced, which forms another challenge in countries of the Global North and Global South alike.

The youth from Bonn at the demonstration today found creative ways to pass their message and push their political claims for climate action. Many thanks for this!

And next time: ZEF climate scientists (and others), join them!