“Climate Activist on 85-Day Hunger Strike Demands Action from German Chancellor”

German environmental engineer and climate activist Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick is currently 85 days into a hunger strike in Berlin, Germany. His health has deteriorated significantly, with him losing over 61 pounds, his body becoming gaunt, and his blood sugar reaching critically low levels. Despite warnings from physicians overseeing his health, Metzeler-Kick refuses to eat until he receives a statement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledging the severity of the climate crisis.

Metzeler-Kick and other hunger strikers are demanding that Scholz issue a government statement recognizing the climate crisis as an extreme danger to human civilization, committing to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and acknowledging that current emissions levels have already exceeded the limits required to reach that goal. They also want the German government to take immediate and drastic action to mitigate the impacts of global warming.

Despite the deteriorating health of Metzeler-Kick, Scholz has not made the statement demanded by the hunger strikers. In response to the strike, Scholz stated that the tactic of a hunger strike is a mistake and that the government should rely on science to influence policy but not necessarily make the specific statement demanded by the strikers.

The hunger strike, organized by Scientists Rebellion and Last Generation, has drawn attention to the urgency of climate action in Germany. Metzeler-Kick’s determination to continue fasting despite the risks highlights the frustration felt by many activists over the lack of political progress in addressing the climate crisis.

Hunger strikes have been used as a last resort in nonviolent resistance movements globally, with climate activists increasingly utilizing the tactic to pressure governments to take action. Metzeler-Kick’s strike is a stark reminder of the urgent need for bold climate policies and the sacrifices activists are willing to make to bring about change.

As Metzeler-Kick’s health continues to deteriorate, supporters and fellow activists are expressing concern and urging Scholz to engage with the demands of the hunger strikers. The refusal of the government to acknowledge the severity of the climate crisis and take immediate action is seen as a failure to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Despite the risks involved, Metzeler-Kick remains steadfast in his commitment to the hunger strike, believing that his actions can make a difference in the fight against climate change. The ongoing strike serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to protect the planet and future generations.