UNBURYING KNOWLEDGES

Input & Dialogue | Tactics and visions of climate activism in NRW and beyond | Exchange and discussion with activists from "Zucker im Tank" on the topic of climate activism

As part of the FWT series Focus on: ROHSTOFFE - Buried Secrets

In 2012, the first two trees were occupied in Hambach Forest. Since then, climate activism in NRW has expanded and developed massively: from the occupation of Hambach Forest to the "Alle Dörfer Bleiben" initiative and occupation of Lützerath and finally the activism around the Gremberger Wäldchen in Cologne. Over the past 12 years, many actions against lignite mining have been effective, but there have also been major setbacks. Enormous knowledge has been generated and experience gained within the movement. Together with a climate activist from the group "Zucker im Tank", which has been active in the climate justice movement for a long time, we want to take stock of the strategies and approaches of civil disobedience in connection with the coal phase-out. What is the status quo in NRW, what has been learned, what has failed and what is urgently needed in order to have a future? And what meaningful role can art and culture play without becoming directly agitational?

In the first part of the event, an activist from "Zucker im Tank", who has been involved in climate activism for 12 years, will give a keynote speech. His input will focus on the climate movements around hard coal and lignite mining in NRW based on the book "Glitter in Coal Dust - On the Struggle for Climate Justice and Autonomy". In the second part of the event, a space for reflection will be opened up through a discussion between the moderator Mona Sachße, two activists and the audience, in which tactics and visions of climate activism will be reflected upon and further developed in a joint discussion.

Sugar in the tank
is a climate justice group critical of capitalism and domination that supports affinity groups in their actions against fossil industries and other life-threatening excesses of the capitalist system. Among other things, Zucker im Tank has been offering activist workshops for years to pass on movement knowledge. In 2022, the group published the book "Glitter im Kohlstaub", in which many activist friends share their experiences from the struggles for climate justice.

Language: German

Date: November 23, 15:00-17:00, FWT: UG stage

Afterwards, the audience can watch the exhibited films from Rohstoffausbeutung - Drei Positionen aus der Medienkunst .