The activist Kathrin Henneberger fought for the preservation of the hambach forest. Now she protests against the coal-fired power plant Datteln IV.

occupation of the power plant Datteln 4 photo: Björn Kietzmann

taz: Kathrin Henneberger, they have been fighting for years in the hambach forest. On the weekend they have occupied the coal-fired power plant Datteln IV. Are you not tired?

Kathrin Henneberger: no. I just loaded incredibly energy. In my heart is despair, because in the climate crisis will not be traded, as should be taken to the 1.5 degree limit. And this desperation gives me a lot of energy and courage to me, with corporations such as RWE and their political allies create. And we must also. Dates, IV the nail in the coffin of our future.

Why?

We lawn straight to a world of four to six degrees hotter. We, the coal-fired power plants have to - and don't turn it on. It is insane to have in the year 2020, a new power plant to the grid. Apart from this, the coal that is burned in Datteln IV comes, not from Germany, but is purchased in the North of Colombia, and Siberia. There, entire communities are forced to move. The indigenous people are deprived of land rights.

And Resident, the fight back, suffer from incredible repression. You must not have scared every day that you come home in the evening. At our press conference in a Siberian activist, guest, Alexandra Koroleva of Ecodefense, which fought in Russia against the coal and had to flee was. We do not want this colonial posturing is more. We live here in the North at the expense of countries in the global South.

Who must act?

The Parliament and the Federal government, but first and foremost, the state government of NRW under Armin Laschet. But that is nothing. The people can also Hambi rooms, will now be responsible for ensuring that a new coal-fired power plant goes to the grid. We can't rely on politics to save us from the climate crisis, and we can't leave out that coal companies have insight. The group Uniper building in dates, is in the hands of the energy supplier Fortum. And Fortum belongs to 50.8 percent and the Finnish state. We have, therefore, called on the Finnish people, to face in solidarity to our site and to make print. And the are with.

Kathrin Henneberger climate activist from North Rhine-Westphalia and the spokesperson for the Alliance "terrain". She is 32 years old.

what's next?

I can't tell you that much. Dates will not be the only focus of our protests. In June, the coal-fired power plant to come on-line, that is why we are coming in may once again. In the taz was already in front of the power plant, a channel is. Well, Yes, and who can build tree houses, also can build rafts.

Are re-planned duration of appointments?

not allowed to say.

How was the mood in dates on the weekend?

Incredible. When we were at the power plant site, we received a visit from the people who are here locally, for 13 years in the resistance. The came with their own flags and have shown presence. Together, we will fight against this power plant, as we fight for the Hambi.