Like many, I did buy into the idea that big catastrophes would do something to politics,” said Luisa Neubauer from Fridays for Future Germany. “I bought into that – and I’m glad about it – because I was naively believing there was a democratic responsibility that would live through coalition changes and climate changes.”

The 28-year-old activist, who spent three months in the US before the presidential election, said she had been shocked to see the destruction from Hurricane Helene “play into the cards of those denying climate disasters”.

Far-right influencers and conspiracy theorists used the wildfires that ravaged California this month to attack efforts to stop the planet from heating. Similar disinformation was seen in Spain after deadly floods struck Valencia in October.

  • @[email protected]
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    13 days ago

    Those who choose the paycheck to comply with it vs suffering under it are the ones who allow it.

    I don’t understand this sentence.

    “I only worked with the fascists so I would survive” is what a fascist is.

    That’s not what a fascist is.

    • @[email protected]
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      13 days ago

      “I was just following orders.” Those who’s comforts are maintained by tyranny, and don’t want to lose the comfort provided by tyranny to stand up against it, are directly enabling tyranny. Tyrants wouldn’t last if not for the complacent “enlightened” centrist who thinks the balanced and sensible perspective is to “Keep Calm and Carry On.” “At least they’re not going after me!” says those who’s loyalty has been bought by tyrants out of fear. The same kind of people who think the ones who fight tyrants are “terrorists.”

      • @[email protected]
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        03 days ago

        I’m glad you haven’t used the word “allow”.

        loyalty has been bought by tyrants out of fear

        Paralysis due to fear does not imply loyalty.

        • @[email protected]
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          13 days ago

          “First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me”

          • Pastor Martin Niemöller - Initially an antisemitic Nazi supporter, his views changed when he was imprisoned in a concentration camp for speaking out against Nazi control of churches.