Last Generation (climate movement)
The Last Generation (German: Letzte Generation, pronounced [ˈlɛt͡stə ˌɡeːnəʁaˈt͡sjoːn], Italian: Ultima Generazione) is a group of climate change activists using form of direct actions mostly active in Germany, France, Italy and UK.
| Established | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | NGO |
| Focus | Climate activism Direct action |
| Website | letztegeneration |
| Remarks | German translation: Letzte Generation |
The civil disobedience methods of the group have met with mixed reactions from the public, including expressions of outrage and threats of violence. Conservative and far-right politiciansin Germany repeatedly described the group as “criminal” and called on public prosecutors and the police to take action against them. In May 2023, a Bavarian court approved an investigation against the Last Generation because of “suspicion of criminal association.” Authorities carried out a nationwide search of the activist's house, computers and the donation account was confiscated and the original homepage was shut down.
This criminalization by the authorities is highly controversial among the public and even among people who critics their actions.
Last Generation describes itself as an "alliance" and was formed in 2021 from participants in the Hungerstreik der letzten Generation ("last generation hunger strike"). The term was chosen because they considered themselves to be the last generation before tipping points in the earth's climate system would be reached.
Since their formation in 2021, they have staged direct non-violent actions including numerous road blockades (276 in Germany over the course of 2022) and using paint to vandalise yachts, notorious paintings, buildings, restaurants and private jets.
In Rome, they threw soup at a van Gogh painting behind glass, called The Sower. In Potsdam, they threw mashed potatoes onto a Monet painting. None of the artworks they attacked were damaged.
In Germany the group has three central demands: a speed limit of 100 km/h on Autobahnen, a cheap universal ticket for nationwide public transport and a "social council" with 160 drawn members, which will make a plan to end the use of fossil fuels in Germany by 2030.
In a strategy paper published in January 2024, the group announced that it would no longer conduct road block protests. On 7 February 2024, the group has announced its intention to contest the 2024 EU Parliament elections. This new direction was widely reported.