Does the “Last Generation” Left have a Gap in the Climate Movement?

Building on this, Hagen-Canaval asked: "How can it be that the climate ticket becomes more expensive, but the commuter euro is tripled? That is not climate-friendly." The political relevance of climate protection has "completely disappeared," she stated. "And I believe that is the best reason for the existence of the 'Last Generation', which is now becoming very visible," emphasizes Hagen-Canaval. However, the activist clarified in this context that the implementation of climate protection is the responsibility of politics and not NGOs, although they can initiate developments.

A comeback of the "Last Generation" or a realignment, as in neighboring Germany, where members of the sister movement formed the "New Generation" and the "Resistance Collective", is nevertheless ruled out by the 29-year-old. "We gave everything, but at some point, the energy is depleted," she said. "My duty is done, I can sleep well at night because I know I did everything." In contrast, she generally sees a lack of "social commitment" in Austria.

She and many of her former comrades are "tired of people who criticize and do nothing themselves," said Hagen-Canaval. "In the future, it will depend exactly on these people and on them joining the next resistance movement."

For this reason, she wrote a book titled "Resistance - A Declaration of Love to the Uncomfortable" about her career and the "Last Generation". As an encouragement to become active oneself, it includes, among other things, instructions for highway blockades as a "tool for the empowerment of citizens in democracies," as Hagen-Canaval writes. The book concludes with a kind of list of steps that contribute to the fight against the climate crisis - last point: "Stop making excuses."

Marina Hagen-Canaval completed master's studies in Business Informatics and Information Systems in Würzburg and Liechtenstein. A year after joining the "Last Generation" in May 2022, she gave up her job as an IT project manager and later served as a press spokesperson as one of the leading voices of the activist group. In August 2024, the movement dissolved. The 29-year-old is now studying law, sits for the Greens in her hometown of Götzis in the municipal council, and has since withdrawn from activism.

The "Last Generation" protested in recent years with road blockades against the federal government's climate policy. The Vienna public prosecutor's office is currently investigating several former members on suspicion of forming a criminal organization and serious property damage. In parallel, numerous proceedings are still ongoing before administrative courts throughout Austria, as well as a proceeding following a residence ban by the Federal Ministry for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) against a German activist.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here .