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The state of Lower Austria would like to develop commercial areas east of Wr. Neustadt build a “bypass”. Several property owners along the planned route in Lichtenwörth are fighting back. Now they are to be expropriated. From June 04th to 11th, hundreds of people will participate in a climate camps protest against it.
The climate activists who come together at the camp show solidarity with the affected farmers and organize together with the citizens' initiative Reason instead of east bypass“ a one-week protest camp on the affected fields. During the camp there will be a variety of workshops and lectures. In this way, the activists want to raise awareness of global challenges and show that global problems are reflected in local ones.
“Concrete projects like the eastern 'bypass' are fueling the climate crisis. Instead of promoting our food security through local agriculture, more and more highways, shopping malls and industrial sites are sealing the best soil. In the truest sense of the word, this digs away our livelihoods,” says Lucia Steinwender from System Change, not Climate Change.
The "Lichtenwörther fields" are considered the most fertile soils in Lower Austria, as they are particularly resistant to drought. The drought is getting worse due to the climate crisis. Lower Austria is one of the top 3 federal states in Austria when it comes to soil consumption, according to a current report by the WWF.
The lakes around Wr. Neustadt no longer has any water due to the low groundwater level. “By the expropriation I lose several thousand euros. But due to the climate crisis, we are losing our livelihood. The seal has to end somewhere. I can't agree to a sale with my conscience. But I hope to the last that this concrete project can still be prevented." says Hans Gribitz, one of the affected farmers.
This year's climate camp starts on Sunday, June 04th at 15.30 p.m. with a bike tour from Wiener Neustadt to Lichtenwörth and ends on June 11th. There will be over 60 workshops, lectures and discussions on climate justice. On June 09th we will also visit the Pride Parade in Wr. new town
Further information:
https://klimacamp.at/
https://www.vernunft-statt-ostumfahrung.at/
Photo / Video: SNCCC.
