The well-organized financial network behind the seemingly random and sporadic climate activism is shocking even to politicians.
They stick to the asphalt, block traffic, occupy airports and damage valuable works of art: climate activists have wreaked havoc in several European capitals in recent months. They call themselves "The Last Generation" and claim that their particular protests are aimed at drawing attention to the "climate catastrophe". They are calling for drastic measures to combat climate change, including a halt to North Sea oil drilling, an end to fossil energy consumption and new ways to limit food waste.
But what they are doing is actually not a simple, vocal generational trend, but actually a well-financed plan implemented by a well-organized association.
And "The Last Generation" is no exception. Climate activism recruiters and NGOs advertise lucrative "jobs" offering €520-1,300 plus benefits. The positions are part-time or full-time, as reported by Welt am Sonntag.
According to the Focus article, the money comes from a Berlin-based association called Wandelbündnis (Alliance for Change), they also sign the employment contracts; the association currently boasts 30 entrepreneurs. However, the origin of the financial support can be traced back to the Climate Emergency Fund in the United States.
According to their own statements, CEF funds "disruptive, violent" activism and claims to have supported 94 organizations with more than $5.3 million and trained more than 22,000 climate activists.
It can be read on their website that they have mobilized more than a million activists.
The "theory of change" says gradualism has failed, activism is the winner, and is committed to "supporting disruptive activity because it's the fastest way to change." The aim of their activism is to mobilize the "6. against mass extinction". The 6th mass extinction or "Holocene extinction" is a controversial theory, with no general agreement on when it began and what might have caused it. However, this is the primary reason for CEF to “force political change”.
In a picture provided by the environmental protection group Just Stop Oil, two climate activists of the organization after pouring two cans of tomato soup on Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh's painting Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London on October 14, 2022. The two women taped their palms to the wall after the vandalism while they were taken into custody. Source: MTI/EPA/Just Stop Oil
The company, founded in 2019, was provided with initial funds by Aileen Getty, a philanthropist from the American Getty oil tycoon family. Film producer Adam McKay and Rory Kennedy, daughter of former US Senator Robert Kennedy and niece of John F. Kennedy, are also among the supporters. The fund is registered in California.
Across the Atlantic in Germany, as part of the larger CEF, the Wandelbündnis – dedicated to supporting socio-ecological change in Germany – lures young people into militant climate activism with the promise of “some sideline”. At the organized "entry evenings", newcomers are offered a permanent income for what they see as true and fair work. With the financial backing, Wandelbündnis has the tools to invest the money in ever more creative ways to disrupt society, damage cultural assets and stir up media coverage.
And the strategy is paying off: their activism is said to have generated more than 15,000 news reports.
The well-organized financial network behind this seemingly random and sporadic activism is shocking even to politicians. Berlin's interior senator Iris Spranger (SPD), who is not exactly known for her conservative views, expressed her shock in the Berliner Morgenpost when she learned of the money web behind the activism. He drew attention to the "high level of professionalism of the climate protection movement" and added:
"This is a comprehensively organized association of people who commit crimes to achieve their political goals."
Spranger is now calling for tougher penalties, with fines of up to €2,000.
In addition, the recently introduced green laws in parts of Germany certainly favor the violent activism supported by the Wandelbündnis. The activists, who have already been brought to court in several locations, are defending themselves by referring to a previous precedent set by the German Federal Court. Specifically, to the ruling of a Berlin judge in October 2022, which described the climate crisis as an "objectively urgent situation" and "scientifically undeniable". Activists call on politicians to respect and protect the rights of future generations in relation to climate protection; that's why they feel justified in their actions.
But this is not the first time that big money has emerged from behind the financing of terrorist demonstrations, while on the surface everything seems random and improvised.
It has also been proven, for example, that dubious financial networks financed some of the American riots after the death of George Floyd, and that groups such as Antifa received money from well-organized foundations. Moreover, some Antifa organizations were financed with German education funds.
Featured image: A man pulls away a Last Generation activist blocking a freeway exit to protest food waste and call for changes to agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Berlin, Germany on February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Christian Mang
