Of the 100 or so people who gathered in front of the Alte Oper in Frankfurt on this chilly Friday afternoon, two stand out.

The two older ladies, one of whom is walking with a walker, have large signs in the shape of hearts with them.

The globe is depicted on them in the background – in front of it the slogan is emblazoned in white: “Omas for Future”.

For the first time they are in Frankfurt at a demonstration by Fridays for Future, says one of the two.

Your group was officially founded last June.

The mission is clear: "We want to save the world for our grandchildren and preserve it as we know it."

David Lindenfeld

volunteer.

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From the point of view of those who are standing on the Opernplatz on Friday, the way has once again been cleared at the highest level on New Year's Eve for a decision that cannot be reconciled with this goal.

Since it became known that the EU Commission wants to include energy production from nuclear and gas in the so-called taxonomy, i.e. want to recognize it as sustainable under certain conditions, there has been a lot of criticism from environmental groups and the Fridays for Future movement.

Climate activists see the EU project as endangering the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial age.

"Every euro that flows into fossil infrastructure endangers compliance with the 1.5 degree limit," says the statement sent by the organizers before the demonstration in Frankfurt.

"Are we in the eighties?"

The organizers were surprised that around 100 people gathered on the Opernplatz despite temperatures just above zero degrees. "That's more than we thought," says one of them. The first demonstration since the end of October begins with a three-minute speech before the convoy sets off for the Römerberg. "Fossil projects are destroying our future," says the speaker. And the atomic energy? "Do we have the eighties, or why do we have to discuss it?" Applause. Almost everyone you ask that day categorically rejects nuclear power, including the two older women and a 66-year-old man who protested against nuclear energy back in the 1970s and 1980s. This is always justified with well-known arguments: no repository, lack of safety. Just two young womenThose who are more in the background are divided on whether nuclear energy is not a good option if renewable sources are not already providing enough energy.

Everyone agrees that money that could soon be invested in gas or nuclear energy in the EU under the “sustainable” seal of approval would be much better invested in other forms of energy. Two of the organizers agree. “Each euro can only be spent once. And the truth is that what we are doing to fight climate change is still not enough,” says one. What the EU is planning is “state greenwashing” because energy sources “that are not green” are being promoted, agrees a fellow campaigner. Both are 18 years old and have been involved in Frankfurt for a long time. Promote wind power instead of gas or nuclear power, they demand.

But is it really that simple?

Many experts are of the opinion that the so-called bridging technologies, also known as gas or atom, are essential on the way to climate neutrality, because it is currently not yet possible to meet the energy demand, which will increase again in the coming years, not only because of electric cars going to cover from renewable sources.

Experts warn that green electricity cannot be stored long enough to safely bridge periods with little sun or wind.

The coalition agreement of the new federal government states on page 59: "Natural gas is indispensable for a transitional period."

Dissatisfied with new government

The activists from Fridays for Future counter that there are scientific studies that show that climate neutrality can also be achieved exclusively with renewable energies. All that is needed is a "radical change" and a focus on promoting renewable energies.

Many also came to the demonstration on Opernplatz because they are dissatisfied with the work of the new federal government so far.

Scholz presented himself as climate chancellor during the election campaign.

"But he's not," says one of the organizers.

Systematic change is needed, a move away from capitalism towards a system in which human rights, climate and solidarity are the driving parameters, say the two organizers.

A 22-year-old, who is attending for the first time, says that nothing will change anyway – no matter what government.

And so the demonstration on Friday not only stands for clear criticism of the EU, but also for a worrying realization: Some no longer trust politicians to solve the crisis.