On Monday, climate scientists delivered speeches on the dangers of global warming to the Swiss Parliament. The event was triggered by the hunger strike that a frustrated Swiss father started on its doorstep last January.
Guillermo Fernandez is a father to three children. He ended his 39-day hunger strike when the government agreed to the demand.
He said that it was “really amazing to be here knowing today the facts will be laid out before parliament and the entire Swiss people,” he stated to Reuters at Federal Square, where he held his strike, in advance of the event.
“After that, we will determine which politicians accept their responsibilities for our children’s sake and which ones ignore them.”
The temperature rises in Switzerland have exceeded two degrees Celsius already, nearly double the global average. This has caused shrinkage of its once-mighty glaciers, and new risks of drought and rockfalls due to thawing permafrost.
Switzerland is a major financial hub and has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, Climate Action Tracker considers Switzerland’s actions “insufficient”. This website monitors government efforts to combat global warming.
Bern said that a proposal to ban the use of fossil fuels by Switzerland in 2050 is too extreme. A proposal to ban fossil fuel sales after 2050 will be put to a referendum in the country within two years. There are some exceptions.
Julia Steinberger, an eco-economist at the University of Lausanne, stated that Switzerland has a duty. “Switzerland’s high consumption makes it more contributing to climate and biodiversity crises, but it also suffers from the consequences.” She spoke to parliament members who signed up for the optional session.
An official stated that only 100 people, or less than half the 246 invited, showed up. The benches that were reserved for the right-wing group, dominated by the People’s Party (SVP), were almost empty.
Sonia Seneviratne (ETH Zurich climate scientist) testified that she was disappointed by the slowness of government action.
“I believe we have the resources to do it. She said that we are one of the wealthiest countries, so it should be possible.”
Around 200 people gathered outside, one dressed up like a thermometer, and another as a dinosaur to show humanity’s possible fate. Camille Mariethoz, Fribourg, said that she doesn’t believe in crazy dreams. She added, “I don’t believe one event will change anything.”
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