According to the organization Fridays for Future, around 220,000 people demonstrated in more than 300 German cities on Friday out of concern about climate change and called on governments to phase out fossil fuels.
The predominantly young people followed a nationwide and global protest call by the climate protection initiative.
In Berlin alone, more than 22,000 people and in Hamburg more than 12,000 people joined the demonstrations for climate justice and peace on Friday.
There were over 1000 campaigns worldwide.
Fridays for Future called for an end to dependence on fossil fuels in response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
“The Ukraine war has made it clear that if we import fossil fuels from autocrats, we are endangering our security and further heating up the climate crisis.
It's good that the government has finally realized how dangerous it is when we buy coal, oil and gas from Putin," said Carla Reemtsma from Fridays for Future of the German Press Agency.
The traffic light coalition must now take the decisive steps for a future without fossil fuels.
Solidarity with Ukraine
Spokeswoman Jule Pehnt said billions are now needed to expand renewable energies, heat pumps and public transport.
Activist Elisa Bascedil said: “Right now we are heading for more than 3 degrees of warming, which means water and food shortages, deadly heat waves and devastating floods.
The crises deepen and catch up with us as we resent the destructive status quo.”
In Berlin, the police spoke in the afternoon of 10,000 demonstrators who first gathered near the main train station and then wanted to run to the Brandenburg Gate.
Many participants showed solidarity with Ukraine with banners in blue and yellow - the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Demonstrator Katharina criticized: "Russian natural gas is helping to finance the war and is driving climate change." The use of Russian gas should be stopped.
The 19-year-old Rio said: "This is a strong signal that is being sent to the Ukrainians who fear for their lives." Climate justice is related to peace and security policy in Europe.
protest actions around the world
In Hamburg, there were significant traffic delays during the demonstration, which led through the old town to St. Georg and back.
As a precaution, the police had recommended driving around the affected area or changing to the S-Bahn and U-Bahn.
The demonstrators held up signs with slogans such as "The earth is seething with anger at humanity" or simply "No war".
According to Fridays for Future, there were over 1,000 campaigns worldwide.
In Stockholm, for example, several people took to the streets on Friday with leading activist Greta Thunberg for a stronger and fairer fight against the climate crisis.
As recordings on social networks showed, a long protest marched through the Swedish capital as part of the international climate protest day.