Climate Issues Low on Agenda Ahead of Thüringen Elections
Voters in Thüringen and Sachsen are largely indifferent to climate issues, with only 5% ranking it as a major concern. Meanwhile, initiatives like the Wind Participation Act have been successful. Europe Calling, in partnership with Campact, is hosting a webinar to discuss climate actions just before the elections.
On September 1, 2024, voters in Thüringen and Sachsen will elect their new state parliaments. Alarmingly, climate and environmental issues rank low on the public agenda, with only 5% of respondents in the latest Thüringen poll citing them as a key concern— the lowest figure across Germany. The current state government has implemented initiatives like the praised Wind Participation Act, which allows local communities to benefit directly from wind energy expansions. In collaboration with Campact, Europe Calling aims to reignite discussions on climate protection just days before the elections, highlighting the potential threats posed by far-right ideologies to both democratic freedoms and the successes in environmental policy in Eastern Germany. A webinar featuring prominent figures such as Luisa Neubauer from Fridays for Future, and Professor Cornelia Betsch from the University of Erfurt will address the climate crisis and health implications. Also present will be Bernhard Stengele, top candidate for the GREEN party in Thüringen and the current minister for environment, energy, and nature conservation. The event will take place on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 8:00 to 9:30 PM.
The upcoming elections in Thüringen and Sachsen present an opportunity to assess public concern regarding climate issues in these regions. Despite significant legislative achievements from the current government, such as promoting renewable energy through local wind participation, the general lack of focus on climate change among voters—exemplified by a mere 5% prioritizing it in surveys—poses a challenge. This context is further complicated by the rising influence of far-right groups that threaten to undermine democratic and environmental progress in Eastern Germany.
The upcoming webinar seeks to put climate and environmental issues back on the political agenda ahead of the critical elections in Thüringen and Sachsen. With only a small percentage of the electorate prioritizing these issues, the collaboration between Europe Calling and Campact highlights the urgency of addressing climate risks and engaging citizens on these pressing challenges.
Original Source: www.uni-erfurt.de