EBN – Over 60,000 protesters flooded the streets of Bern, the Swiss capital, on Saturday, demanding measures to combat climate change.
This significant turnout and display of collective concern is a rare occurrence in Switzerland.
Indeed, it underscores the escalating public frustration regarding the pace of climate policy implementation despite compelling evidence of its impact.
Switzerland, renowned for its glaciers, has witnessed a drastic 10% reduction in their size over the past two years. This signals the alarming rate at which climate change is reshaping the country’s landscape.
The urgency of the matter was further emphasised, as September recorded the hottest temperatures ever documented in the country.
Switzerland Faces Public Outcry
This stark reality has galvanised citizens, sparking a passionate plea for decisive governmental action.
“Many have been losing hope because the government is approving new roads and delaying the climate law. But today we were powerful,” said Georg Klingler, representing the environmental group Greenpeace.
The Green Party, despite not having representation in the ruling cabinet, played a prominent role in organising the protest.
They expressed the sentiment of the crowd, asserting that the current parliament is hindering swift, consistent, and effective climate protection.
The urgency of change was palpable, particularly in light of the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for 22 October.
“Insufficient” Climate Change Policies
Switzerland’s existing climate policies have been labelled as “insufficient” by Climate Action Tracker, a research consortium.
The public approved of a draft climate law in June, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
However, the government’s decision to delay its implementation until 2025 has generated widespread discontent among the populace.
The protesters, in unison, demanded immediate and impactful climate reforms from their government.
