Anti-coal demo in Bonn
Thousands of people in the western German city of Bonn have demonstrated against the dirty fossil fuel coal. DW asked protesters about their personal motivation to march.
Never too late
"If we don’t try to save the world, then nothing will happen. We are against everything that is bad for the climate," says 80-year-old Helga.
Where climate change is already reality
"We want to make sure that our voices as people of the Pacific who are on the frontline of climate change are being heard on frontline actions like this ones," says Josephzane from the Pacific Climate Warriors.
Energy transition
"Coal is not so cheap, it’s just heavily subsidized and the follow-up costs for air pollution and climate change are not included. If you consider it from a strict economic point of view, wind and solar energy are the cheapest energy sources," says Johannes. He should know: He is a service engineer for wind power stations.
For the children's future
The whole family is at the demo. "I’m protesting because I think the energy transition has to be more radical, otherwise we won’t achieve the climate protection goals," says father Gregor and mother Tini adds: "It’s extremely important for our children, we have to stand up for the environment, the climate, so we don’t destroy their future."
Greed over climate protection
"The climate is not ok because profit always comes first. It’s for the government now to change how we generate power. But profit is always more important to the powerful and this is why we are here to demand a change," say the parents of this little fella from Belgium.
Powerful youth
"I’m walking in the protest because I want people to take action, especially the youth, and increase their handprint - because handprint symbolizes climate action - and decrease their carbon footprint. It’s important the youth gets active. The future generation will be affected by climate change more and the responsibility is on us," says Booja.
Everyone can take action
"We think it’s incredibly important to be the change in the world you want to see. Everybody can do something for the climate, even individuals. It starts with small decisions when you go shopping or march in protests," says Eva.