Climate action doesn't seem to be a priority for Germany — despite heat-related deaths and drought. Why aren't more people taking to the streets?

Germany's lack of climate action, despite record heat-related deaths and severe drought, has left many questioning why more people aren't protesting. Lars Werner of the Last Generation activist group has been advocating for climate action for years, warning of the impending Rhine drought, yet the government has taken no decisive action.

The federal government's only response has been minor regulatory tweaks, like lifting the Sunday truck ban, rather than implementing comprehensive climate policies. Only a few hundred protesters showed up at a recent demonstration at the chancellery, a sharp decline from the hundreds of thousands who marched in prior years. A recent study found that 80% of Germans are concerned about climate change, yet this worry hasn't translated into public action.

Hateful online attacks against climate activists have also deterred participation. Political polarization, with far-right parties opposing climate action, has further divided public opinion. Despite a few individuals installing solar panels, many Germans are still taking environmentally harmful vacations on cruise ships. The rise of smaller, localized climate activist groups and the shift of focus to other issues like the war in Gaza have also contributed to the decline of large-scale protests.

While the SPD has proposed amending the constitution to make heat protection a shared responsibility, the CDU/CSU opposes this, citing legal concerns.