The IPCC is raising the alarm that the critical threshold for global warming could be reached as early as 2030. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on politicians to take responsibility: "The alarm bells are deafening. The IPCC report must be a death knell for coal and other fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet."
"Yet since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions in Austria have remained the same. How can politics be pushed towards effective action? What can individual citizens do in this climate crisis?", asks Peter Czermak from Klima-Allianz OÖ. In response, Klima-Allianz OÖ carried out a survey on the topic of "climate neutrality 2040" in all 438 Upper Austrian municipalities ahead of the 2021 elections. All parties standing for election were asked whether climate neutrality 2040 forms the basis for their actions in the coming municipal council term — and how they intend to implement it. The results for all municipalities and parties are presented at www.klimawahlen.at.
"There's no shortage of guidance on how to act in a climate-friendly way in your own life," Peter Czermak is convinced. "But we need to go further and become more active as political citizens."
Klimawahlen tour in August
Upper Austrian municipalities were visited on a Klimawahlen cycling tour. In conversations with citizens, politicians and climate ambassadors, the survey results were presented and the climate issue discussed ahead of the election. An internet and video blog reports on the tour experiences. Video examples from active community members are encouraging and show how you too can get involved and take responsibility during the climate crisis. https://klimaallianz-ooe.at/klimawahlen-tour
"Heatwaves, hail, storm damage and flooding — the climate crisis has arrived in Upper Austria. Politics must finally respond, at all levels: federal, state and municipal!", Peter Czermak from Klima-Allianz OÖ is convinced. "The goal of climate neutrality 2040 is a first step. Let's make the 2021 election a climate election and support parties for whom the climate issue, future-proofing and protecting our home region matter."
Contact: Peter Czermak, ooe2021@klimawahlen.at, T: 0699 88796015,
www.klimawahlen.at www.klimaallianz-ooe.at
