In Berlin, five activists are on a hunger strike in protest against climate policy, with two of them experiencing deteriorating health conditions. Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick, aged 49, is suffering from a respiratory infection after 68 days without solid food, while 61-year-old Michael Winter is in such a critical condition after 28 days of hunger strike that medical supervision has been deemed irresponsible. Despite these health concerns, both activists are determined to continue their protest, demanding a radical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a declaration from Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledging the dangers of climate change.
The activists, part of the campaign “Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid” (Hunger until you are honest), aim to raise awareness about climate change risks and push for significant action to combat it. They want Scholz to address their demands in a government statement, yet the Chancellor has not responded to their pleas. The group now includes a total of five men on hunger strike, with a new participant joining from Wuppertal on April 30. Metzeler-Kick has been fasting the longest among the participants. Despite the escalating health concerns, the activists remain steadfast in their commitment to continue their hunger strike until their demands are met.
The participants are currently residing in a camp outside the Ministry of Climate Action in Berlin. Although they are not consuming solid food, they are drinking juices to intake vitamins and some energy. According to medical professionals, such a hunger strike can be sustained for a long period, but infections pose a significant risk to their weakened bodies. Christoph Sarrazin, an internist and board member of the German Society of Internal Medicine, explained last week that while hunger strikes can be endured for a while, infections can greatly endanger the health of those participating.
The health condition of Metzeler-Kick and Winter has worsened, with Winter’s situation being so critical that medical supervision had to be discontinued due to the risks involved. Despite their deteriorating health, the activists remain dedicated to their cause, pushing for urgent action on climate change and drawing attention to the need for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While the German government indicates its commitment to climate protection, Chancellor Scholz has not responded to the activists’ demands, leaving their hunger strike as their last measure to urge action on this critical issue.
