Since August 30, German protestors — aged 18 to 27 — have gone on a hunger strike to raise awareness of climate change issues. These young protestors have set up tents close to the German Chancellery in Berlin in hopes of attracting the attention of the candidates for the general election. The public has shown deep concern for the hunger strikers' health and overall wellbeing; however, the protestors were determined to continue until their voices are heard.

The hunger strikers have been crying out for climate justice. The seven hunger strikers, who call themselves The Last Generation, are determined to continue protesting out in the Reichstag in Berlin until the German government attends to their agenda. According to Euronews, Hannah Lübbert, the spokesperson of The Last Generation, has first demanded the attention of “the three forerunners in the German election campaign.” In addition to requesting communication with the candidates, the protestors have been insisting upon the “implementation of a citizen’s assembly for climate change,” which will discuss immediate measures to combat environmental issues.

Will It Work? 

The Last Generation’s hunger strike reflects the German youths’ willpower to fight for what they believe. According to dpa international, “the activists rejected an offer made by the three candidates for chancellor — Armin Laschet from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Olaf Scholz from the center-left Social Democrat Party (SPD), and Annalena Baerbock from the Greens — to hold individual talks after the election.” Despite this offer, Lübbert advocated that honest public exchange during the election campaign is the key. Furthermore, the German government has expressed that, while it is pleased with the youths’ political interest in climate change issues, young individuals are strongly advised to refrain from endangering their health.

The hunger strike reached three weeks before two of the protesters ended their fight. However, throughout the process, families, friends, and the public showed tremendous concern over the protestors’ overall wellbeing. Jacob Heinze, one of the protestors, told the BBC that he has already informed his parents and friends that there is a chance they won’t see him again. He mentioned that his mother is greatly worried for him and that she calls to check up on him every day. Similar to Heinze’s case, older generations are raising questions over to what lengths and extremes should be considered necessary for advocation. Nevertheless, the hunger strikers are highlighting that there are no limits to raising awareness for issues that require international attention.

The Last Generation is not backing down from its hunger strike. Not only is the German government expressing concern for their wellbeing, but every muscle in the protestors’ bodies have ached due to weeks of emptied stomachs. However, the hunger strikers are showing strength and they are staying strong. Professor Mark Boren (University of North Carolina Wilmington, English Language and Literature) mentions that “hunger strikes are temporary but high impact actions .” In light of The Last Generation’s hunger strike, protests have spread like wildfire within many German towns and cities. As the author of Student Resistance in the Ages of Chaos, Professor Boren explains, “if enough momentum is built,” climate action protests pressure candidates into making significant changes to governmental policies, hence proving to be an effective measure.

What the Next Step Should Be

The hunger strikers are making requests and asking for change. The Guardian reports that The Last Generation’s hunger strike is the “most radical domestic political protest” Germany has faced in decades. However, environmental changes within the country have not been a smooth ride either. Climate change, such as intense heatwaves and coastal flooding, has been stirring up long-term impacts on agriculture. In addition, the country has recently faced “historical flooding in the Ahr Valley and forest fires sweeping southern Europe.” In brief, The Last Generation is pointing out that lobbying is a thing of the past and that climate change needs to be on the political agenda immediately.

Before recent events came to light, Germany had been aiming and continues to aim for becoming climate neutral by 2045. According to Clean Energy Wire, which discusses energy transition in Germany, the amendment made on the Climate Action Law focuses on cutting emissions by 65 percent for all “individual sectors such as industry and transport until the year 2030.” These goals are shown to be aligned with the European Union’s (EU) plans for sustainable growth. More specifically, Germany has been reorganizing its CO2 pricing scheme for the transportation sector and building heating systems. It has also fostered the use of renewables, supported energy-saving institutions, and contributed to developing alternative engine technologies. As stated in Foreign Policy, Germany has utilized over 46 percent of renewables for power consumption as of this year. In sum, Germany’s efforts to turn the tables on climate change are all in hopes to achieve climate neutrality.

The Guardian made a commentary that the Greens have been considered to be the “most ambitious on the environmental reform agenda” out of all the parties for the general election. The Greens have pledged to allocate two percent of Germany’s surface area to building wind turbines and hydrogen pipelines, while also expanding the nation’s railway network to discourage domestic flights. After Olaf Scholz’s win on September 26, he has announced his hopes to become a “climate chancellor” like his predecessor, according to Clean Energy Wire. He aims to form a government coalition with the Greens and follow up on their policies while becoming pro-business with the Free Democratic Party (FDP). As a result, Germany’s future will involve a careful balancing act between keeping track of its climate neutrality plans and pushing for the economic wellbeing of its citizens.

In conclusion, the German youth are coming out onto the streets and advocating for their beliefs. The recent hunger strike of The Last Generation is the definition of perseverance and dynamic itself. Professor Boren shares his thoughts on how social media and cell phones have radically changed our knowledge of protest strategies and tactics. He explains that “the success of many movements is due to multipronged strategies and tactical adaptability.” The direction of Germany’s climate neutrality policies is undecided at the moment. However, efforts to make change happen are very much present.