The Znepokojené matky initiative (Worried Mothers) has invited PM Peter Pellegrini to their Climate Picnic event, which takes place on June 12 on the Námestie Slobody square. (source: FB Znepokojené matky)
“Time flies, children grow up, and the ocean level still rises,” the Znepokojené matky (Worried Mothers) environmental initiative wrote on Facebook.
A month after the Climate March of Parents organised by this initiative, they are returning to one of Bratislava's squares on June 12. This time they decided not to protest but hold a Climate Picnic event in the afternoon on Námestie slobody (Freedom Square), which neighbours the Government Office.
“We think that Slovakia is not doing as much as it can to fight climate change,” the organisers said prior to the May march, as quoted by the Sme daily.
The location is not accidental as PM Peter Pellegrini (Smer), who works in the Office, has not responded to the climate change demands of organisers since the march in mid-May, attended by hundreds. They have invited Pellegrini and Economy Minister Peter Žiga to the picnic as well.
“We are beginning to be worried,” the organisers posted on Facebook. “Let's thus remind ourselves (and the government) of our five demands.”
5 demands
to introduce a climate state of emergency. Climate protection should become a priority. When adopting any resolutions, Slovakia should take their impact on climate change into consideration;
to immediately prepare an ambitious action plan for transitioning to a carbon-free economy, with the aim of preventing an increase in temperature by 1.5 Celsius degrees;
to stop supporting polluters, write off coal reserves immediately, and stop indirect coal subsidies and the support of industries supporting a high increase in emissions;
to retreat from fossil fuels within the performance of Slovakia’s shareholder rights in international institutions and in Slovakia. The country should not contribute to the development of projects focused on mining and the use of fossil fuels via its bank investments, guarantees, and companies in which it owns shares;
to stop the deforestation of Slovakia, introduce measures to reduce emissions in agriculture, protect water and biodiversity.
Worried Mothers is an initiative that was created in Slovakia after students decided to protest for climate protection in March 2019. It is also part of the Mothers Rise Up initiative in Europe.
