2023-09-30 06:05:00
A few days ago I found myself in a kind of cross between community center, church and showroom of suspended ceilings from the late 1970s. Because ‘Grandparents for the Climate’ had gathered there for a day. For an inspiration day, of which I was allowed to be a small part.
When I moved to the back of the room, human rights specialist Jan van de Venis spoke regarding the kind of action that is already being taken – calling governments to account for their responsibility – and the kind of action that it is high time for: CEOs and other bosses of polluting and lying companies personally liable for that pollution, the lies regarding it, the climate and health damage for which they are therefore responsible.
Nice detail: the first word I heard Jan say was ‘hope’. And yes, I know that’s not enough, but I also know that we need it, whether you’re a grandma/grandpa, or deeply concerned at any other age.
Suspended ceiling
Of course, following I was announced, I mightn’t help but remember that this was the oldest audience I had ever spoken to, and that they had undoubtedly been there when the aforementioned suspended ceiling was installed. I briefly quoted from my own work (my column on this site, a few weeks ago, regarding the grandparents who go to the A12/Utrechtsebaan every day when they are not looking following their grandchildren) and talked regarding how logical it is for the young citizens of today ( children, young adults) to have a say in all decisions that affect them, how logical it is to let the generations following us, following them, participate in the decision-making process.
As indigenous people We know the children’s campfire in all kinds of places: when the adults are sitting at their meeting place, there is also a campfire burning for the children, a symbol of their interests, which are taken into account in every decision. I thought it would be nice to occasionally build a children’s campfire in the boardrooms of (lying) companies, or in the faction rooms of political parties that regard climate policy as ‘wasted money’ or ‘crazy!’ keep putting it away.
A fragment of the New Year’s Eve performance
While lunch was being wheeled in on rattling carts – people often get hungry if they look at me for more than fifteen minutes, and scientific research is still being done into the reasons for this – I decided to listen to a fragment of the New Year’s Eve performance that I play with Lebbis with the enthusiastic elderly. to share. Because it is exactly regarding what they stand for, and because the sometimes younger audience in our halls also experiences this every evening:
Trees gone, the highway is widened, will it ever be narrowed?
Children in Congo are the slaves of cobalt
Wind turbines have ruined Drenthe’s views
Do you remember where I put my conscience the other day?
I’m an optimist who actually knows better
Let’s strike because let’s be honest: it’s hot
When your grandchild later asks what you knew then and what you did
Can you honestly say: I knew it and I fought…?
Dolf Jansen is a comedian and writes a weekly column for Trouw. Read his columns here.
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