In 2016, around 40 women over 64 founded the organization KlimaSeniorinnen, which today has more than 2,000 female members
The “KlimaSeniorinnen”, the elderly women from Switzerland, who have made it their goal to stop the destruction of the environment in their country, going all the way to the European Court of Human Rights. Shortly before the KlimaSeniorinnen travel to Athens to talk about their double fight against climate change and ageist racism, the co-president of the organization talks to APE-MPE about their action.
It all started, the 72-year-old describes to APE-MPE Rosemary Widler- Valti, co-president of KlimaSeniorinnen and adult educator, when Greenpeace Switzerland found that elderly women face a greater risk of mortality than the rest of the population due to the country’s increasing heatwaves. Thus, the organization decided to launch legal actions in cooperation with a lawyer experienced in environmental issues and sought women who would be interested in this goal. In 2016, around 40 women over the age of 64 founded the Climate Seniors Association (KlimaSeniorinnen in German), which today has more than 2,000 female members.
The KlimaSeniorinnen first appealed to the Federal Administrative Court and then to the Federal Supreme Court of their country, demanding that the Swiss government take action against climate change. However, their appeal was rejected in both cases. Then they decided to lodge an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights. The start of the public hearing for their appeal before the Grand Chamber of the Court is set for March 29, 2023. They emphasize that the outcome of the case could set an important legal precedent in the fight for climate justice.
The women note in their appeal that extreme weather conditions tend to become the norm and Switzerland, like most other countries, is not doing what is necessary to prevent these situations. At the same time, older women in Europe, like other vulnerable social groups in many parts of the world, are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. Especially the elderly are significantly affected by the heat, due to the reduced thermoregulatory capacity of their body. According to data they have included in the appeal, due to the heat in the summer of 2022, 1,700 elderly people died in Switzerland more than the statistical average. It is also estimated that 30% of deaths caused by heatwaves in Switzerland in the period 1991-2018 could be attributed to anthropogenic climate change. In addition, according to research by the Swiss Institute of Public Health, people over 75 and especially women have a greater risk of mortality due to heat.
KlimaSeniorinnen have dedicated themselves to their cause, while members of the organization have already visited Luxembourg and Spain with the aim of speaking about their struggle and supporting corresponding movements in these countries. From January 24 to 27 they will also visit Greece, where they will be welcomed by the Greek office of Greenpeace and the National Commission for Human Rights. With these visits, Mrs. Widler-Valti explains to APE-MPE, “we want to inspire and encourage other people, especially women from other countries, to follow the same path as us. If your politicians are not doing enough against the destruction of the environment, you have to take legal action.”
But how easy is it for ordinary citizens to oppose governments and industries, we ask her. She admits that this needs “a good lawyer and of course enough money. But even then it is a difficult job, because in our case the Swiss courts rejected the appeal and we had to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.” However, she clarifies that KlimaSeniorinnen may have the support of Greenpeace, however the international environmental organization “does not support us with money, we only have at our disposal the money that our female members will spend”.
A parallel “battle” that the Swiss activists have to fight is against ageist racism. Rosemary Widler-Walti describes that the organization is not promoted by most of the Swiss media and expresses the certainty that ageist racism is among the reasons. “Perhaps they fear our courage and therefore ignore us. But if we win, it will be a double win for us: for the climate and for older women, who can take such a shocking step for the Earth,” he says.
It is noted that the goal of the KlimaSeniorinnen’s visit to Greece is to talk to the public about their experience and to exchange opinions on ways to undertake further climate and social action. The public debate is co-organized by Greenpeace Greece and the National Commission for Human Rights on Wednesday, January 25, 7-9 pm, at the Goethe Institute in Athens, and will be broadcast live on Greenpeace Greece’s channels at Social Networks. The next day there will be a meeting with women’s movements and organizations.
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
