Climate scientists and politicians met in the Federal Palace on Monday for a joint exchange. But the right-hand side of the National Council chamber remained as good as empty. Bourgeois politicians were obviously not very keen on exchanging ideas with the climate experts.
That this event took place at all goes back to the hunger strike of Guillermo Fernandez (47).. For 39 days he had protested in front of the Federal Palace and demanded that Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga (61) invite the Federal Assembly to mandatory training on the climate and environmental emergency. Fernandez accused the politicians of being poorly informed regarding the “absolute seriousness of the situation” – “even the Greens”. The father of three was particularly concerned regarding the future of the children.
According to Fernandez, the dialogue between science and parliament on the latest climate and biodiversity reports, which the President of the National Council Irène Kälin (35) convened on Monday, has fulfilled his mission.
“No critical voices”
Participation in the climate event was not obligatory. And so only a few SVP politicians showed up among the 75 or so parliamentarians. The St. Gallen SVP National Councilor Mike Egger (29) justified his absence as follows: “The event took place without critical voices.” That is why controversial discussions regarding topics such as security of supply have been neglected.
SVP National Councilor Monika Rüegger (54) was also missing. She has appointments, she said when asked. In addition, as a member of the Commission for the Environment, she is well informed regarding climate change: “What we need are feasible solutions in climate policy and no strikes,” says Rüegger. Albert Rösti (54) was one of the few SVP representatives to take part in the event. He also sits for the SVP on the Commission for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy.
Demonstration in front of the Federal Palace
FDP National Councilor Christian Wasserfallen (40) also boycotted the event: “You shouldn’t reward such strike actions with an event, I’m constantly looking for dialogue with science,” says the Bernese on request.
The organizers see it differently. The exchange was important and a first step towards future communication between science and politics, summarized ETH professor Sonia I. Seneviratne. Kälin also announced that she hoped that the meeting would activate the dialogue between science and politics – even if the left were more strongly represented.
Professor Markus Fischer from Bern, a member of the Expert Council of the World Biodiversity Council, called it “extremely important” to cite studies legitimated by science and politics in the discussion.
While the exchange of politicians and scientists took place inside, activists demonstrated outside in front of the parliament building for measures for a healthy climate. Around 200 people with banners had gathered at the beginning of the followingnoon. (she/SDA)
