30 January 2023

Breaking age stereotypes about activism: KlimaSeniorinnen in Greece

Greenpeace members holding a banner "Climate Justice Now"

(photo: © Nicoletta Zarifi/ Greenpeace)

The Greek office of Greenpeace and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) hosted members of the KlimaSeniorinnen in Greece from 24 to 27 January. KlimaSeniorinnen, composed of women over 64 years old from Switzerland, through their organization "Climate Seniors Association" have taken the Swiss government to the European Court of Human Rights, demanding action by their country's government against climate change.

During their visit to our country and on the occasion of their application, which is expected to be heard in spring 2023, a series of events and meetings were held in order to inform and raise awareness among the Greek public about the climate justice movements and actions that are developing around the world, as well as to cultivate a broader framework for dialogue with civil society around the climate crisis, human rights and vulnerable social groups.

The series of meetings was inaugurated on Tuesday 24 January, with a tour of the city’s "Invisible Routes" materialised by the street paper "Shedia". During the tour, the activists walked around areas such as Metaxourgeio and Vathi Square and got to know important social structures of Athens, such as the Integrated Homeless Center, the Meals and Food Bank of the City of Athens Reception and Solidarity Center and the clinic and social pharmacy of MDM Greece. Through the tour and the personal narrative of the guides, the activists were informed about the life of people living on the streets of Athens, while they also acquainted with the services provided by various institutions to fight against homelessness, hunger and social exclusion. The walk ended at the "House of Shedia", where postgraduate students from the departments of Law, Political Science and Public Administration, Communication and Media, as well as from the Refugee and Migration Studies Hub, along with Greenpeace volunteers who participated in the tour, exchanged views with the KlimaSeniorinnen on the impact of the climate crisis on vulnerable social groups.

On Wednesday 25 January, the members of KlimaSeniorinnen had the opportunity to meet with the Greek public and the media, during an open event held at the Goethe Institut Athens, on the topic "Climate movement - human rights - vulnerable social groups", which was attended in person and online by a large number of our fellow citizens. In addition to Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti and Jutta Steiner of KlimaSeniorinnen, the keynote speakers were Maria Gavouneli (President of the GNCHR, Professor of International Law, School of Law, University of Athens), Nikos Charalambidis (Director of the Greek office of Greenpeace), Dr. Elizabeth Mestheneos (PhD in Sociology – Researcher, former President of Age Platform Europe, Board Member of “50plus Greece”) and Ioanna Markou (Co-founder of Association of Women over 40 – “A40s”). The discussion was moderated by Odin Linardatou, journalist and ELIAMEP Head of Communications.

During the event, Ms. Wydler-Wälti and Ms. Steiner referred to their organization and their fight for climate action and explained how they decided in 2016 to file an application against the government for lack of action against the climate crisis, in order to protect human rights, stressing that older women are at greater risk from the effects of climate change. They went on to say that, after exhausting all legal remedies in their country, they concluded that going to the European Court of Human Rights was the sole option. Throughout this process, Greenpeace has always been by their side, they noted, providing both financial support and their expertise on the matter. Now, the activists are awaiting the final judgment of the European Court of Human Rights and hope that the ruling will be a "landmark" for climate policies in all European countries, not only in Switzerland. Yet, they pointed out that "...already our application has raised awareness on this matter internationally and citizens in other countries are moving forward with appeals aimed at climate action. Ultimately, this is a case that goes beyond purely environmental action and touches upon human rights".

Nikos Charalambidis then took the floor, stressing that similar mobilization can occur in our country, as conditions are maturing with the passage of time. He pointed out that such appeals will continue to be filed, overturning in the future government policies that currently fall short of expectations. Speaking specifically about KlimaSeniorinnen, Mr. Charalambidis said: "this is a group of people who might otherwise be called ‘defunct’, are veterans who take a stand and say that we have the right to health and a clean planet, even taking their country to court". Regarding their court battle, the Director General of Greenpeace's Greek office noted: "I am not anxious about the outcome, because even if it is not positive, the next one will be."

From her side, Maria Gavouneli spoke about the change brought to the legal system by cases such as the one of KlimaSeniorinnen. As she remarked, issues like these, which were previously considered to be reserved in higher-level politics, are now unfolding between the citizen and the state. "Nowadays the citizen takes a stand and demands that the state meet its obligations. The citizen has the ability to knock on the door of the Court and put high-level government policy under scrutiny or some form of debate. In the past, the response of governments would be that these are very difficult issues, very complicated, and that the average citizen cannot deal with them. Yet, they can" said the President of the GNCHR and Professor of International Law.

In turn, Dr. Elizabeth Mestheneos spoke about vulnerable populations, sick people, people who live alone and the importance of engaging with the climate crisis when talking about old age. Speaking from the perspective of older people, she stressed: "it is very important to say that we are on our feet and we are citizens. We are here and we are fighting".

Finally, Ioanna Markou, representing women over 40, spoke about the discrimination experienced by this social group at various levels. She specifically mentioned that women lack resources, technology, lifelong education opportunities, which would help them adapt to climate change, while they are vulnerable to phenomena such as physical, psychological and economic violence, which is increasing as a result of the climate crisis. "Beyond being victims," she stressed, "women can also be active agents and fervent supporters of the global mobilization against environmental degradation. The KlimaSeniorinnen initiative can serve as an example in this direction."

During the fourth day of their visit to Athens, on Friday 27 January, the KlimaSeniorinnen met, on the initiative of Greenpeace and the GNCHR, with the following organisations and collectives of the women's movement at the welcoming premises of the Greek League for Women’s Rights: International Women's Union, Municipal Equality Committee of Kifissia, Municipal Equality Committee of Chalandri, European Women's Lobby, Democratic Women's Movement, Melissa Network, Orlando LGBT+, To Mov, Womanlandia, Women Act, Women On Top and the Initiative Against Femicide. Inspired by the actions of KlimaSeniorinnen, the representatives of organisations and collectives exchanged views on the ways in which women are among the first vulnerable groups affected by any crisis, such as climate change, and agreed that women's organizations can become active agents in addressing the climate crisis and expressed their interest in taking action in this regard.

Notes:

[1] More information about KlimaSeniorinnen and their action can be found on their website.

The press release in pdf format.

Photos:

Guided tour of the "Invisible Routes" by the street magazine "Shedia" (Tuesday 24 January 2023).

Event at Goethe-Institut Athen on “Climate Movement – Human Rights – Vulnerable social groups” (Wednesday 25 January 2023)

Meeting with collectives of the women’s movement at the League for Women’s Rights (Friday 27 January 2023)