A new wave of young eco-activists running for EU Parliament seats
A generation of young Europeans who began their activism in school is now running for the European Parliament to influence climate policies.
Rebecca Ann Hughes reports for Euronews.
In short:
- Young Europeans, previously involved in Fridays for Future protests, are now candidates in the European Parliament elections from June 6-9.
- These candidates, like Petr Doubravsky from Czechia and Lena Schilling from Austria, aim to enact climate protection policies amidst opposition from right-leaning parties.
- They represent a new wave of political activists determined to shape EU climate and energy policies by 2030.
Key quote:
“In 2019, we heard that we should calm down, that we should stay in school, that we should wait until we are adults. And that time has now come.”
— Petr Doubravsky, Czech Green Party candidate
Why this matters:
The presence of these young activists in the political sphere is more than symbolic. It highlights the growing influence of environmental activism in shaping policy and the increasing recognition that the climate crisis requires immediate and innovative solutions. If successful, these young politicians could play a crucial role in steering Europe toward a greener, more resilient future, ensuring that the environment remains at the forefront of legislative priorities.
The question remains: will it be enough to counter the rising far-right movement in Europe?
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