G7: Summit protesters fear fallout from Ukraine war is pushing climate down the agenda | World News

In Munich, crowds of thousands of protesters were a welcome party for some of the most powerful leaders on the planet.

In the next few days, Germany will organize G7 meeting of the world’s wealthiest nations and armed protesters on demand.

“I’m here because the politics of the G7 countries are unfair and unclear,” said Florian Leiner, who plans to join protests throughout the leaders’ summit.

“The G7 asks private creditors to cancel the debt of the global south,” another in the crowd demanded while immediately behind her was a group calling for an end to climate injustice.

The claims are varied but linked by a common theme – that leaders must not forget the health of the planet and the poorest planets as they try to solve some of the biggest problems in the world. .

The G7 group includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union.

Russia was suspended from the previous G8 in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea.

When Germany took the presidency of the G7, it initially planned to let climate change prevail during the meeting held at Schloss Elmau, in the Bavarian Alps.

But after that Russia Invades Ukraine and now leaders face additional challenges including war, food shortages and securing energy supplies.

Fear of fossil fuels

While the climate issue remains on the agenda, some campaigners fear that energy is being put before the environment as supplies are squeezed out.

Russia’s recent reduction in gas supplies to Germany has forced the country to raise its alert level with warnings that it may not meet its storage targets over the winter.

This is one of those countries where coal will have to help fill the void.

“I am very concerned that this summit is being used by G7 leaders to amplify their efforts in developing fossil energy.

Greenpeace Germany CEO Martin Kaiser explains: “But the answer for Putin must be to phase out fossil fuels as soon as possible and move on to renewable energy and solidarity. more globally”.

‘The Club of the Rich and Powerful’

Others in the crowd worry that too much power is in too few hands.

Wearing a Boris Johnson mask, Judith stood alongside Macron, Biden and the other seven in a chic gown to challenge the idea of ​​the club.

“I’m here because I think the G7 is a club of a few very rich but powerful people and they don’t have the right to set our standards on the whole world,” she said.

After the march, frustration flared when a small group clashed with police.

But the tension was short-lived and quickly contained.

Without a doubt, G7 leaders will expect any disagreements over the next few days to diffuse quickly as they prepare to debate the myriad crises facing the world.