Young environmental activists demanded action from Poland's political parties in Warsaw on Friday (September 27) just over two weeks before the country holds parliamentary elections. Warsaw traffic was brought to a standstill when some 2.000 Warsaw Grand Climate March participants went through the busy streets demanding more ambitious climate policy.
Armed with a list, activists said they wanted to see the parties commit to real action to reduce the country's carbon emissions.
The activists, who took part in last week's strike, visited the offices of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party and the main opposition Civic Coalition, as well as the smaller left-wing Razem (Together), and the Democratic Left Alliance and Wiosna (Spring) parties.
Some 2.000 people took part in the Warsaw Grand Climate March on Friday. The manifestation was greeted by the Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski in front of the Palace of Culture and Science. Then the crowd marched through the centre of the city in front of the Sejm building.
The demonstration caused serious traffic havoc during rush hours. The organisers of the march explained that they'd chosen busy hours on Friday in order to get noticed, which wouldn't be possible on a weekend when the streets are empty.
Coal provides about 80 percent of Poland's power and has been a major source of employment and national pride.
The younger generation is less emotionally attached to coal and is increasingly environmentally aware, though any phasing out of the fuel in Poland is likely to be slow.
Shortly before the country hosted last year's UN climate conference, the energy ministry said the country plans to invest in new coal capacity, while its long-term energy strategy assumes it will still obtain about 60 percent of its power from coal in 2030.
Poland will hold parlimentary elections on October 13.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP, Reuters