Category: Allgemein

Disinformation is a powerful weapon in Russia’s war against Ukraine. With deep fake videos, misleading “facts” and outright lies going viral, some media outlets have called it the first social media war. But, how do Big Tech companies profit from spreading disinformation about the war? And what can we do to combat disinformation online? Patrick Breyer MEP explains how the EU’s Digital Services Act plays an important role in the fight against disinformation.

As the old adage goes, truth is the first casualty of war. Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Big Tech platforms (like Facebook or Instagram, both owned by mega-corporation Meta) have hosted posts that deny, glorify and justify war crimes. Online platforms have a responsibility to identify and stop disinformation. And yet, these malicious posts continue to spread.

The truth is that disinformation is a profitable business for online platforms. The more outrageous and provocative their content is, the longer we stay on their apps and websites. And then there are automated ‘recommender systems’, algorithms that decide the content for your facebook feed or Youtube watch list. Those algorithms will often resort to showing us conspiracy theories, disinformation and polarising content in their desperation to keep us clicking.

Disinformation poses a severe threat to European societies. Extremis groups or authoritarian governments can use these recommender systems to spread lies and manipulate their followers. Stumble onto one Youtuber with extremist views? Here are five more you can follow. Right now, the Russian government is deceiving Russian citizens with disinformation to justify the aggression against Ukraine.

Read on to find out how the EU’s new legislation regulating online platforms – the EU Digital Services Act – could play an important role in the fight against disinformation.

The EU vs. Big Tech: who should decide what constitutes disinformation

In the battle against disinformation, it could be tempting to put the responsibility entirely in the hands of the tech companies. Big Tech is already policing some of what’s people are posting on their social networks.  On  February 26th, Meta took the decision to restrict access to Russia Today and Sputnik, two Russian media outlets, across Europe. Meanwhile, Twitter has  added extra labels to “Tweets that share links to Russian state-affiliated media websites.” Twitter now also labels “accounts and Tweets sharing links of state-affiliated media outlets in Belarus.”

Who should rule the internet?

However, the CEOs of Big Tech should not be encouraged to take backroom decisions over what content is visible. This only entrenches their control over what users in the European Union get to see and which information is credible. Governments making direct calls to Google and Meta represents a threat to democracy.

Filtering, removing or demoting legal content is the wrong approach. It’s prone to abuse and censorship and will drive people towards uncensored and unmoderated channels. These channels present them with often with even more extreme content. A better approach to this problem is to let users appreciate the credibility of information. Users can do this with fact-checking, warnings, background information and user rating (or flagging) systems. We can’t solve this problem with a quick-fix sticking plaster of censorship and bans. In the long term, we need an approach that encourages critical thinking, media literacy and media diversity to build a society that’s more resilient to the spread of disinformation.

Why is disinformation a profitable business for platforms?

In a study “the future of online advertising” commissioned by the Greens/EFA,  Duncan McCann, Will Stronge and Phil Jones exposed how platforms manipulate our personal data for profit. The study highlights how disinformation is a very profitable business. According to a 2020 report from the Global Disinformation Index, over $76m is paid by advertisers to disinformation sites every single year.

We commissioned a study on “The Future of Online Advertising” earlier this year. Our study is exposing how online platforms and Big Tech manipulate our personal data for profit.

Big Tech’s business models rely on ‘surveillance-based advertising’. Everything from our web searches to our clicks to our personal details is tracked. Our private data is used to choose which online ads to show us. But online platforms also profit from spreading and amplifying disinformation through their ‘recommender systems’. Algorithmic recommender systems curate which content users see while scrolling, based on content that they or their friends have interacted with before.

Recommender systems – why are they profit making machines for Big Tech?

During a hearing at the European Parliament, a whistle-blower from Meta (previously Facebook), Frances Haugen, revealed that algorithmic recommender systems actually favour disinformation and violence over factual content. Extreme content and disinformation are more likely to keep users scrolling on their social media feed. Therefore they create more income through ads for the Big Tech platforms.

So long as this remains the business model, problematic content will thrive. In fact, without the lucrative revenue from surveillance-based ads, disinformation sites would be less prolific. As a result we would potentially have less radicalisation and polarisation in our society.

We cannot tolerate that companies are making profit from the promotion of hatred and disinformation. Read on to find out how the Greens/EFA Group will continue the fight for EU-wide protection from hate speech and disinformation.

Information over profit – How the Greens/EFA want to stop disinformation

Russia’s war on Ukraine has caused a sudden spike in online disinformation, as the Kremlin scrambles to manipulate ordinary Russians into supporting the war. Manipulated photos, deepfake videos, fabricated news stories, unofficial social media accounts and outright lies have cropped up on all online platforms.

This has proven the urgency for the EU to step in and regulate online platforms and their algorithms. A new piece of EU legislation,  the Digital Services Act (DSA), has been negotiated which should do just this. The Digital Services Act aims to create a better and safer internet, protect our private data and give more power to people online. This is the perfect chance to crack down on disinformation.

How we will fight toxic algorithms and the spread of disinformation with the EU’s Digital Services Act:

• Banning surveillance advertising. We have to ban platforms from presenting ads to people-based profiling and tracking people using sensitive data (such as health, sexual orientation, religion etc).
• Having fair choices. Users should have a fair choice to say no to tracking advertising. And it shouldn’t be possible to trick internet users by making it harder to say no than yes. It should be easy to switch it off.
• Tackling manipulative algorithms and Big Tech’s divisive business models. We need to introduce clear and meaningful transparency rules and control over recommender systems and algorithms. Users have the right to opt out of the commercial recommender algorithms. Tech corporations should not be allowed to decide on their own what appears in the timelines of users and what does not.
• Ensuring researchers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) get access to the right data. The Digital Services Act will give researchers and NGOs the opportunity to analyse platform data and how profit-driven algorithms spread disinformation. This way we can make better laws to protect ourselves from it.
• Making sure Big Tech don’t get too powerful. The EU Commission has strong, centralised supervisory powers when it comes to the obligations for very large online platforms.

On 20th January 2022, the European Parliament voted on its position on the Digital Services Act. In April 2022, ministers from EU governments along with representatives from the European Parliament have negotiated the final text of the law. The European Parliament is expected to vote on the final text in the upcoming months.

Let’s fight disinformation together!

Il mondo è in fiamme. Una pandemia globale infuria. L’economia si muove al rallentatore. Non ci sono posti di lavoro. I giovani non possono permettersi di lasciare la casa dei genitori o di vivere da soli. Leggere le notizie è deprimente. Non c’è da stupirsi che i problemi di salute mentale tra i giovani(dai 15 ai 24 anni) siano raddoppiati in un solo anno. Tre dei nostri stagisti Greens/EFA – Marco, Carolina e Timothy, giovani provenienti da tutta l’UE – ci raccontano come sono stati colpiti dalla disoccupazione, dalla crisi degli alloggi e dal cambiamento climatico, e il conseguente l’impatto sulla loro salute mentale.

Insieme al Covid-19, un’altra pandemia invisibile ha travolto il mondo dall’inizio del 2020. Stiamo parlando della crisi della salute mentale giovanile. Da quando è iniziata la pandemia, i giovani hanno infatti dal 30% all’80% di probabilità in più di sperimentare la depressione o l’ansia, secondo un rapporto dell’OCSE (Organizzazione per la cooperazione e lo sviluppo economico).

Le cause dei problemi di salute mentale tra i giovani sono varie. E, naturalmente, ogni giovane ha i propri fardelli personali. Tuttavia, è chiaro che la nostra generazione debba affrontare alcuni problemi comuni, di enorme gravità. Per questo motivo, in questo blog osserviamo più da vicino tre questioni che i giovani devono affrontare in Europa – la crisi climatica, la disoccupazione e la crisi degli alloggi – chiedendoci: com’è affrontare questi problemi come giovane nell’UE? E come possiamo proteggere la nostra salute mentale?

Mentre leggi, perché non ascolti la nostra playlist sulla salute mentale? Danziamo insieme sui nostri problemi, che fa bene! 

DOVER LOTTARE PER UN ALLOGGIO: QUANTO INFLUENZA LA SALUTE MENTALE DEI GIOVANI?

Carolina viene da Madrid, in Spagna

Carolina ha 23 anni. Abbiamo fatto una chiacchierata con lei e ci ha raccontato quanto la difficoltà per aggiudicarsi un alloggio al giorno d’oogi influenzi la nostra generazione, aggiungendo alcune sue riflessioni sul conseguente impatto sulla salute mentale dei giovani.

Che impatto ha la crisi degli alloggi in Europa sui giovani?

Trovare una casa è molto più difficile che in passato, soprattutto per i giovani. Mentre i nostri genitori o nonni alla nostra età probabilmente avevano già un lavoro e una casa, noi riusciamo a malapena a pagare l’affitto ogni mese.

Ho avuto la fortuna di vivere in quattro paesi: Spagna, Francia, Belgio e Regno Unito. In tutti, ho visto come i miei amici abbiano sofferto lo stress e l’incertezza di non sapere dove avrebbero vissuto il mese successivo. O trovi qualcosa ad un prezzo accessibile o, se no, devi prendere le tue cose e tornare a casa.

I prezzi elevati e un mercato immobiliare in rapida evoluzione rendono il trovare un posto economico in cui vivere una vera e propria lotta. Spesso ci sono fin troppi requisiti necessari prima di poter firmare un contratto: assicurarsi un contratto di lavoro, trovare un garante, risparmiare per poter pagare un deposito… delle barriere che molti giovani semplicemente non riescono a superare. Per esempio, a Lione, ho vissuto in un alloggio privato per studenti. Anche lì, mi hanno chiesto informazioni sullo stipendio dei miei genitori negli ultimi due anni e necessariamente due garanti. Nonostante io fossi una studentessa con una borsa Erasmus.

In Spagna, ho anche visto le diverse realtà del vivere in grandi città come Barcellona e Madrid. L’affitto medio mensile in queste due città è dell’82% più caro che nel resto del paese. Dovendo anche pagare per la loro istruzione, i miei amici che vengono a Madrid da altre città difficilmente riescono a trovare una stanza ad un prezzo accessibile,

In media, i giovani costituiscono il 20-30% del numero totale dei senzatetto nella maggior parte dei paesi europei. Questi numeri sono aumentati negli ultimi anni e la situazione è solo peggiorata durante la pandemia.

Anche i più fortunati, che possono permettersi di pagare l’affitto, devono destinare più del 50% del loro stipendio all’alloggio. Il che rende difficile arrivare a fine mese. Gli stage non pagati o i bassi salari aggiunti all’alto costo dell’affitto nella maggior parte dei paesi europei rendono il tutto un circolo vizioso dal quale non si ha scampo.

I giovani sono intrappolati: non siamo in grado di firmare un contratto d’affitto da soli, non possiamo permetterci l’affitto e non possiamo risparmiare per la nostra futura casa.

E la condivisione di un appartamento? È questo il futuro degli alloggi per i giovani?

Condividere un appartamento con altre cinque persone è diventata la cosa normale per chi ha 20 o 30 anni. In città come Madrid, Barcellona, Parigi, Amsterdam o Bruxelles, l’affitto medio mensile di un appartamento è di circa 1000€, mentre lo stipendio medio dei giovani in Spagna o in Italia è di 1200€. Non è difficile fare i conti. L’unico modo per diventare indipendenti è condividere un appartamento.

Condividere un appartamento è spesso definito come “un’esperienza che arricchisce” o “vivere in un ambiente multiculturale”. E spesso viene chiamato co-living. Questa dicitura cerca di romanzare la situazione molto precaria in cui si trovano tanti giovani in tutta Europa. In realtà, vivere con degli estranei non è una mera preferenza personale – ma la nostra unica opzione.

Cosa c’entra la crisi degli alloggi con la salute mentale?

Il costo dell’affitto, l’ansia di non trovare un posto dove vivere o di dover contare sul sostegno finanziario dei propri genitori sono paure condivise da molti giovani in tutta Europa.

L’incertezza rende quasi impossibile per i giovani anche solo pensare di avere figli o comprare una casa senza un lavoro stabile, cambiando di fatto le nostre principali scelte di vita, facendoci spesso sentire intrappolati e senza valore. Questa insicurezza sul futuro crea uno stress costante e la preoccupazione di ciò che accadrà dopo.

Le lotte per l’alloggio possono portare a incertezza, insicurezza, ansia, sentirsi a disagio o sentirsi depressi. Questi sentimenti possono anche peggiorare qualsiasi condizione di salute mentale pre-esistente. La maggior parte dei giovani senza una casa ha già a che fare con problemi di salute mentale, il che può rendere ancora più difficile per loro superare le difficoltà di alloggio.

Mi piacerebbe vedere una strategia UE per la salute mentale. Abbiamo bisogno di un approccio europeo alla salute mentale. In modo che non importa da dove tu venga in Europa, ma che i servizi di salute mentale siano accessibili a tutti noi. E, naturalmente, dobbiamo garantire l’accesso a case a prezzi accessibili per tutti.

DISOCCUPAZIONE: COME INFLUISCE SULLA SALUTE MENTALE DEI GIOVANI?

Marco viene da Pavia, in Italia

Marco ha 26 anni. Ci ha raccontato come rimanere disoccupato lo abbia colpito mentalmente e come questo influisca sulla salute mentale dei giovani più in generale.

Marco, come ti sei sentito ad essere disoccupato durante la pandemia?

Avevo 24 anni quando mi sono trasferito da Copenhagen a Bruxelles, sperando di iniziare presto la mia vita lavorativa.

Dopo i primi giorni, ho capito che il livello di competizione per ottenere uno stage retribuito relativo ai miei interessi (relazioni internazionali e cooperazione) era eccessivamente alto. Il mercato del lavoro era completamente saturo. Quindi, come spesso nella mia vita ho cercato di trovare un lavoro in un bar, un ristorante o un negozio. Senza, non sarei stato in grado pagare le bollette. Purtroppo, nel giro di due settimane tutte queste attività hanno dovuto chiudere causa Covid.

Così, ho abbassato ulteriormente le mie aspettative, sperando semplicemente di trovare una qualsiasi fonte di reddito il più presto possibile. Ho iniziato a inviare un’infinita serie di domande di lavoro, le quali tornavano cronicamente a destinazione fresche di rifiuto. Iniziavano sempre con: “Nonostante il suo profilo sia altamente qualificato per la posizione, in questa occasione, abbiamo deciso di non portare avanti la sua candidatura“. O ancora: “Le scrivo per farle sapere che non è stato selezionato per il colloquio, ma siamo sicuri che troverà qualcos’altro in futuro, visto il suo brillante profilo!“. Apparentemente, però, il mio profilo da solo non bastava. Avevo bisogno di una previa esperienza lavorativa prima di poter ottenere la mia vera e propria esperienza lavorativa. Paradossale, non trovate?

Di fatto, ho passato mesi in una condizione precaria, sia mentalmente che finanziariamente. Le restrizioni per arginare gli effetti del Covid-19 e l’isolamento hanno ovviamente avuto un ulteriore impatto negativo sulla mia routine quotidiana. Dopo sei mesi, avevo quasi raggiunto un esaurimento. Alla fine, sono stato costretto a tornare a casa in Italia per alcuni mesi, il che mi ha fatto sentire peggio. Pensavo di aver perso la battaglia per ottenere un lavoro, dopo aver appena ottenuto due lauree magistrali.

In che modo la pandemia di Covid-19 e la disoccupazione hanno colpito i giovani?

Alla fine, ho comunque deciso di rinunciare ad un lavoro remunerato e iniziare uno stage non pagato. Ciò sia per continuare a incrementare il mio CV (cosa che è apparentemente successa), sia per convincermi che almeno stavo facendo qualcosa.

La realtà è che nonostante i vari lavori part-time che ho fatto durante gli studi, sono sempre stato dipendente da qualcuno. Mi considero una persona estremamente fortunata, perché la mia famiglia è sempre stata in grado di supportarmi economicamente e mentalmente. Ma più di una volta ho sentito che la mia stessa dignità mi stesse venendo tolta. Questa sensazione di inadeguatezza, mi ha fatto dubitare delle mie capacità, rimettere in discussione le scelte di studio che avevo fatto  e perdere la fiducia nel sistema occupazionale.

Avete avuto un’esperienza simile negli ultimi due anni? Non siete soli.
Secondo una ricerca di Eurostat, nel 2020 c’erano quasi 14 milioni di giovani adulti (tra i 20 e i 34 anni) che non erano né occupati né in formazione.

Un altro studio a livello europeo ha scoperto che il benessere mentale ha raggiunto il suo livello più basso in tutti i gruppi di età dall’inizio della pandemia, più di due anni fa. Non sorprende che i giovani abbiano sperimentato più solitudine, depressione e isolamento sociale di qualsiasi altro gruppo.

Cosa si sta facendo a livello europeo per affrontare la disoccupazione e la salute mentale dei giovani nell’UE?

Il 2022 è l’anno europeo della gioventù. L’obiettivo sarebbe mettere in luce l’importanza di dare voce alle sfie che noi giovani dobbiamo affrontare quotidianamente. Ad un livello più pratico, gli Stati membri dell’UE hanno presentato i loro piani di investimento per migliorare il livello di vita complessivo dei giovani nell’Unione europea, dopo la pandemia Covid-19.

Kim Van Sparrentak, una delle più giovani eurodeputate dei Verdi/ALE, ha affrontato la

questione lo scorso febbraio con un brillante discorso nel dibattito del Parlamento europeo, “Una gioventù, un’Europa”.

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Inoltre, il gruppo dei Verdi/ALE da mesi lavora mano nella mano con la FYEG (l’organizzazione ombrello dei Giovani Verdi in Europa). Insieme, abbiamo organizzato una campagna per il divieto degli stage non pagati e una per garantire uno standard minimo di diritti per le condizioni di lavoro dei giovani.

Per me, questo sarebbe il primo passo concreto per colmare un vuoto che troppi giovani devono subire prima di poter guadagnare un reddito decente e dignitoso e per iniziare la loro transizione verso l’età adulta.

ANSIA DA CLIMA: COME INFLUISCE IL CAMBIAMENTO CLIMATICO SULLA SALUTE MENTALE DEI GIOVANI?

Timothy viene da Trier, in Germania

Timothy ha 26 anni ed è di doppia nazionalità scozzese e tedesca. Insieme abbiamo discusso di come il cambiamento climatico influisca sulla salute mentale dei giovani, alimentando le loro ansie e paure. 

Cos’è esattamente l’ansia da clima?

L’ansia climatica è una forma di angoscia psicologica per la minaccia posta dalla crisi climatica. È un fenomeno relativamente nuovo, ma i suoi effetti sono diffusi. Uno studio recente proveninete dalla Germania ha mostrato che il 55% dei giovani sono preoccupati dagli impatti del cambiamento climatico sul loro benessere.

Come giovani, tendiamo a sperimentare l’ansia climatica più intensamente poiché siamo la generazione che subisce (e subirà sempre più) le conseguenze di un pianeta che si riscalda. L’ansia climatica tra i giovani è spesso associata ad un senso di impotenza che nasce quando i governi fanno troppo poco per fermare il cambiamento climatico.

Oggi, abbiamo raggiunto un periodo in cui stiamo vedendo le conseguenze del cambiamento climatico dispiegarsi davanti ai nostri occhi. Tutti abbiamo assistito o siamo stati personalmente colpiti da disastri naturali come incendi boschivi, siccità e inondazioni. C’è un senso di inevitabilità riguardo al cambiamento climatico. Si sta facendo troppo poco, troppo tardi. L’ansia climatica nei giovani è aumentata, perché temono per il loro futuro e per quello del pianeta.

Questa ansia è anche giustificata dal recente rapporto dell’IPCC (Gruppo Intergovernativo di Scienziati sul Cambiamento Climatico), che ci dice che questi disastri climatici peggioreranno se i governi non iniziano ad agire ora. Inazione sul cambiamento climatico significa non dare priorità alla protezione della salute mentale dei giovani.

Timothy, puoi dirci cosa significa per te l’ansia da clima?

L’ansia climatica per me è un’esperienza profondamente personale. L’anno scorso ho assistito alla devastazione causata da gravi inondazioni vicino alla mia città natale, Trier, in Germania. Più di 200 persone in Europa hanno perso la vita a causa delle inondazioni.

Ricordo bene le emozioni di quell’estate. Mi sentivo triste e impotente guardando il telegiornale. Era lo stesso senso di impotenza che ho provato durante il picco della pandemia di Covid-19. Solo che questa volta, la catastrofe ha colpito ancor più “vicino” a casa.

La mia paura oggi è che questo tipo di eventi si ripetano ancora e ancora. Più che paura, è una triste realtà. Soprattutto perché l’ansia climatica non sembra qualcosa che i giovani dovrebbero affrontare da soli. Come giovane, non dovrei preoccuparmi dell’ignoranza e dell’inazione dei governi nella lotta contro il cambiamento climatico. Nella mia visione, l’ansia climatica è un peso inutile sulle spalle dei giovani.

Cosa possiamo fare per l’ansia climatica?

In primo luogo, abbiamo assolutamente bisogno di servizi di salute mentale più abbordabili e accessibili.

Se i governi vogliono davvero mostrare di prendere sul serio l’ansia climatica, allora dovrebbero fare tutto ciò che è in loro potere per migliorare l’assistenza alla salute mentale. Questo include anche più fondi per la ricerca sui problemi di salute mentale.

Per fortuna, ho visto che nonostante tutti gli ostacoli già menzionati, la nostra generazione è davvero resiliente. Infatti, dopo un’assenza di 2 anni, abbiamo visto gli attivisti del clima tornare nelle strade per il primo sciopero globale del clima dopo la pandemia.

Personalmente, ho scoperto che partecipare ad una manifestazione mi fa superare le molte emozioni negative che associo al cambiamento climatico. Mi sento rafforzato e trovo un senso di appartenenza, poiché vedo che la mia generazione è unita in questa lotta collettiva. Ciò mi aiuta davvero a tranquillizzarmi un po’.

In definitiva, però, l’unico modo per eliminare l’ansia climatica come una delle radici dei problemi di salute mentale è quello di mitigare il cambiamento climatico. Abbiamo bisogno di un’azione chiara sul clima e ne abbiamo bisogno ora. (Leggete come i Verdi/EFA hanno spinto per l’azione climatica nell’UE).

In ogni caso, dobbiamo continuare a fare pressione. Per ora, il nostro strumento più potente per chiedere conto a chi prende le decisioni è portare la lotta per la giustizia climatica nelle strade. Dobbiamo esigere che i politici agiscano ora – non solo per il bene della nostra salute mentale, ma per un futuro degno del nostro meraviglioso pianeta.

QUINDI, DOVE ANDIAMO DA QUI?

È inutile nascondersi, la maggior parte di noi avrà un problema di salute mentale ad un certo punto della propria vita. Ogni giovane che ha bisogno di servizi di terapia merita l’accesso a opzioni di terapia appropriate, indipendentemente dalla sua situazione finanziaria.

Quindi, abbiamo bisogno di una strategia europea per la salute mentale. Abbiamo bisogno di servizi di salute mentale che siano abbordabili e accessibili a tutti, soprattutto per i più poveri, per i migranti e per i più vulnerabili.

Per risolvere la crisi della salute mentale dei giovani, abbiamo bisogno di:

• Un diritto ai servizi di salute mentale in tutta l’UE

• Finanziamenti per la cura e la ricerca sulla salute mentale

• Garantire una casa a tutte le persone abitanti nell’UE

• Indennità di alloggio per i giovani

• Un reddito minimo in tutta l’UE

• Il divieto degli stage non pagati

Ci rendiamo conto che non ci sono soluzioni rapide a grandi problemi come la disoccupazione, il costo degli alloggi e la crisi climatica. Eppure, le nostre storie mostrano che i problemi di salute mentale dei giovani dovrebbero essere presi sul serio. 

Siamo stanchi della pandemia del Covid-19. Siamo stanchi della pandemia relativa alla salute mentale dei giovani.

Chiaramente, ora siamo a un bivio. I governi dell’UE o continuano a ignorare le cause profonde della salute mentale, o iniziano ad agire. Speriamo che le nostre storie abbiano dato loro qualche spunto di riflessione.

Ora vogliamo sentire le vostre opinioni!

Che esperienza avete avuto a livello di salute mentale durante la pandemia? Soffrite di ansia da clima? Cosa pensate della guerra in Ucraina?

Non vediamo l’ora di leggere le vostre storie sotto questo post su Instagram.
Saremo prontissimi a respondervi – ci vediamo lì!

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El mundo está en llamas. Una pandemia mundial hace estragos. La economía va a cámara lenta. No hay trabajo. Los jóvenes no pueden permitirse independizarse de sus padres o vivir por su cuenta. Leer las noticias es deprimente. No es de extrañar que los problemas de salud mental entre los jóvenes (de 15 a 24 años) se hayan duplicado en sólo un año. Tres de nuestros becarios de Los Verdes/ALE –Marco, Carolina y Timothy, jóvenes de toda la UE- nos cuentan cómo les han afectado el desempleo, la crisis de la vivienda y el cambio climático, y el impacto que ha tenido en su propia salud mental.

Junto a la COVID-19, otra pandemia invisible ha arrasado el mundo desde principios de 2020. Se trata de la crisis sobre la salud mental de los jóvenes. Los jóvenes tienen entre un 30% y un 80% más de probabilidades de sufrir depresión o ansiedad desde que comenzó la pandemia, según un informe de la OCDE.

Las causas de los problemas de salud mental entre los jóvenes son muchas. Y, por supuesto, cada joven tiene sus propias cargas personales. Sin embargo, está claro que nuestra generación se enfrenta a algunos enormes problemas comunes. Nos centraremos en tres temas que afrontan los jóvenes en Europa -la crisis climática, el desempleo y la vivienda- y nos preguntaremos: ¿cómo es enfrentarse a estos problemas como joven en la UE? ¿Y cómo podemos proteger nuestra salud mental?

Mientras lees, ¿por qué no escuchas nuestra lista de reproducción sobre salud mental? Siéntete libre y baila un poco con nosotros sobre estos problemas compartidos

LUCHA POR LA VIVIENDA: ¿CÓMO AFECTA A LA SALUD MENTAL DE LOS JÓVENES?

Carolina de Madrid, España

Carolina tiene 23 años. Hemos charlado con ella y nos ha contado cómo afecta la lucha por la vivienda a su generación y cómo cree que afecta a la salud mental de los jóvenes.

¿Cómo afecta la crisis de la vivienda en Europa a los jóvenes?

Encontrar una casa es mucho más difícil ahora que en el pasado, sobre todo para los jóvenes. Mientras que nuestros padres o abuelos probablemente ya tenían un trabajo y una casa a nuestra edad, nosotros apenas conseguimos pagar el alquiler cada mes.

He tenido la suerte de vivir en cuatro países: España, Francia, Bélgica y Reino Unido. En todos ellos, he visto cómo mis amigos sufrían el estrés y la incertidumbre de no saber dónde vivirían al mes siguiente. Si encontrarían algo a un precio asequible o si tendrían que recoger sus cosas y volver a casa.

Los altos precios y la rapidez con la que cambia el mercado de la vivienda hacen que sea una verdadera lucha encontrar un lugar barato para vivir. A menudo hay tantos requisitos antes de poder firmar un contrato: tener un contrato de trabajo, encontrar un garante, ahorrar para un depósito… Es una barrera que muchos jóvenes simplemente no podrán cruzar. En Lyon, viví en un alojamiento privado para estudiantes. Aun así, me pidieron el sueldo de mis padres de los dos últimos años y dos avalistas, a pesar de ser una estudiante con una beca Erasmus.

En España, también he visto las diferentes realidades de vivir en grandes ciudades como Barcelona y Madrid. El alquiler medio mensual en estas dos ciudades es un 82% más caro que en el resto del país. Mis amigos que vienen a Madrid desde otras ciudades apenas consiguen encontrar una habitación a un precio asequible, y además tienen que pagar por su educación.

De media, los jóvenes representan entre el 20 y el 30% del total de personas sin hogar en la mayoría de los países europeos. Estas cifras han aumentado en los últimos años y la situación no ha hecho más que empeorar durante la pandemia.

Incluso los más afortunados, que pueden permitirse pagar un alquiler, tienen que destinar más del 50% de su salario a la vivienda. Lo que hace difícil poder llegar a fin de mes. Las prácticas no remuneradas o los bajos salarios sumados al alto coste del alquiler en la mayoría de los países europeos lo convierten en un círculo vicioso.

Los jóvenes estamos atrapados: somos incapaces de firmar un contrato de alquiler por nosotros mismos, incapaces de pagar un alquiler e incapaces de ahorrar para nuestra propia casa.

¿Y si compartimos piso? ¿Es éste el futuro de la vivienda para los jóvenes?

Compartir un piso con otras cinco personas se ha convertido en lo normal para las personas de entre 20 y 30 años. En ciudades como Madrid, Barcelona, París, Ámsterdam o Bruselas, el alquiler medio mensual de un piso ronda los 1000 euros, mientras que el salario medio de los jóvenes en España o Italia es de 1200 euros. No es difícil hacer las cuentas. La única forma de independizarse es compartir piso.

A menudo se habla de compartir piso como una “experiencia enriquecedora” o “vivir en un entorno multicultural”. Y a menudo se le llama co-living. Esta expresión trata de idealizar la situación tan precaria en la que se encuentran tantos jóvenes en toda Europa. Vivir con extraños no es una preferencia personal guay: es nuestra única opción.

¿Qué tiene que ver la crisis de la vivienda con la salud mental?

El coste del alquiler, la angustia de no encontrar un sitio donde vivir o tener que depender del apoyo económico de tus padres son temores compartidos por muchos jóvenes en toda Europa.

La incertidumbre hace que a los jóvenes les resulte casi imposible pensar en tener hijos o comprar una casa sin tener un trabajo estable. Hace que cambien nuestras principales opciones de vida. Puede hacernos sentir atrapados e inútiles. Esta inseguridad sobre el futuro crea un estrés y una preocupación constante sobre lo que pasará después.

Los problemas de vivienda pueden provocar incertidumbre, inseguridad, ansiedad, sensación de incomodidad o depresión. Estos sentimientos también pueden empeorar cualquier condición de salud mental anterior. La mayoría de los jóvenes sin hogar ya tienen problemas de salud mental, lo que hace aún más difícil superar estos obstáculos.

Me gustaría ver una estrategia de salud mental de la UE. Necesitamos un enfoque europeo de la salud mental. Para que, sea cual sea el lugar de Europa en el que te encuentres, los servicios de salud mental sean asequibles y accesibles para todos nosotros. Y, por supuesto, tenemos que garantizar el acceso a viviendas asequibles para todos.

DESEMPLEO: ¿CÓMO AFECTA A LA SALUD MENTAL DE LOS JÓVENES?

Marco, de Milán, Italia

Marco tiene 26 años. Nos ha contado cómo le ha afectado mentalmente estar en paro y cómo afecta a la salud mental de los jóvenes en general.

Marco, ¿qué sentiste al estar desempleado durante la pandemia?

Tenía 24 años cuando me trasladé de Copenhague a Bruselas, con la esperanza de empezar pronto mi vida laboral.

Tras los primeros días, comprendí que había mucha competencia para conseguir unas prácticas remuneradas relacionadas con mis intereses (Relaciones Internacionales y Cooperación). El mercado laboral estaba saturado. Intenté encontrar un trabajo en un bar, un restaurante o una tienda para poder pagar mis facturas. Pero, por desgracia, en dos semanas todo había cerrado.

Así que rebajé mis expectativas y simplemente esperé encontrar cualquier fuente de ingresos lo antes posible. Continué con cientos de solicitudes y posteriores rechazos. Siempre empezaban diciendo: “A pesar de que su perfil es altamente cualificado para el puesto, en esta ocasión hemos decidido no seguir con su solicitud”. O también: “Le escribo para comunicarle que no ha sido seleccionado para una entrevista, pero estamos seguros de que encontrará algo más en el futuro, teniendo en cuenta su brillante perfil”. Pero mi perfil no era suficiente. Necesitaba experiencia laboral antes de conseguir experiencia laboral.

Me pasé meses en una situación precaria, tanto mental como económicamente. Las restricciones de COVID y el confinamiento tuvieron un impacto negativo aún mayor en mi día a día. Al cabo de seis meses, casi había llegado al límite. Finalmente, me vi obligado a volver a casa, a Italia, durante unos meses, lo que me hizo sentir aún peor. Pensé que había perdido la batalla para conseguir un trabajo.

¿Cómo ha afectado la pandemia del COVID-19 y el desempleo a los jóvenes?

Al final, decidí renunciar a un trabajo remunerado y decidí empezar unas prácticas no remuneradas para seguir impulsando mi CV (cosa que conseguí) y por lo menos así sentir que estaba haciendo algo.

Tengo la suerte de que mi familia pudo apoyarme de una u otra manera. Pero, a pesar de los diversos trabajos a tiempo parcial que tuve, siempre he dependido de alguien. Más de una vez sentí que me quitaban mi propia dignidad. Ese sentimiento de incapacidad me hizo dudar de mis habilidades, dudar de las decisiones que había tomado y de perder la confianza en el sistema laboral.

¿Has tenido una experiencia similar en los últimos dos años? No estás solo.
Según un estudio de Eurostat, en 2020 había casi 14 millones de adultos jóvenes (de 20 a 34 años) que no tenían empleo y tampoco estaban en proceso de educación y formación.

Otro estudio a escala europea reveló que el bienestar mental ha alcanzado su nivel más bajo en todos los grupos de edad desde el comienzo de la pandemia, hace más de dos años. Los jóvenes han experimentado más soledad, depresión y aislamiento social que cualquier otro grupo de edad.

¿Qué se está haciendo para combatir el desempleo y la salud mental de los jóvenes en la UE?

2022 es el Año Europeo de la Juventud, cuyo objetivo es poner de manifiesto la importancia de dar voz a los retos que tiene que afrontar nuestra juventud. Los Estados miembros de la UE han presentado sus planes para mejorar el nivel de vida general de los jóvenes en la Unión Europea, tras la pandemia del COVID-19.Kim Van Sparrentak, una de los eurodiputadas más jóvenes del Grupo de los Verdes/ALE, abordó esta cuestión el pasado mes de febrero con un brillante discurso en el debate del Parlamento Europeo, “Una juventud, una Europa”.

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El Grupo de los Verdes/ALE trabaja codo con codo con FYEG (la organización que agrupa a los Jóvenes Verdes en Europa). Juntos, estamos haciendo campaña por la prohibición de las prácticas no remuneradas y por un estándar mínimo de derechos para las condiciones de trabajo de los jóvenes.

Para mí, este sería el primer paso práctico para llenar un vacío que demasiados jóvenes tienen que sufrir antes de poder obtener unos ingresos decentes y dignos y comenzar la transición a la edad adulta.

ANSIEDAD CLIMÁTICA: ¿CÓMO AFECTA EL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO A LA SALUD MENTAL DE LOS JÓVENES?

Timothy, de Tréveris, Alemania

Timothy tiene 26 años y tiene nacionalidad escocesa y alemana. Juntos hablamos de cómo el cambio climático afecta a la salud mental de los jóvenes y aumenta su ansiedad.

¿Qué es exactamente la ansiedad climática?

La ansiedad climática es una forma de malestar psicológico por la amenaza que supone la crisis climática. Es un fenómeno relativamente nuevo, pero sus efectos están muy extendidos. Un estudio reciente realizado en Alemania mostró que el 55% de los jóvenes estaban preocupados por el impacto del cambio climático en su bienestar.

Como jóvenes, tendemos a experimentar la ansiedad climática con mayor intensidad, ya que somos la generación que soportará las consecuencias de un planeta que se calienta. La ansiedad climática entre los jóvenes se atribuye a menudo a un sentimiento de impotencia que surge cuando los gobiernos hacen muy poco por detener el cambio climático.

Ahora hemos llegado a un periodo en el que estamos viendo las consecuencias del cambio climático desplegarse ante nuestros ojos. Todos hemos sido testigos o incluso nos hemos visto personalmente afectados por catástrofes naturales como incendios forestales, sequías e inundaciones. El cambio climático tiene una sensación de inevitabilidad. Se está haciendo demasiado poco y demasiado tarde. La ansiedad por el clima se ha disparado entre los jóvenes, que temen por su propio futuro y el del planeta.

Esta ansiedad también se ve alimentada por el reciente informe del IPCC (Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático), que nos dice que estos desastres climáticos empeorarán si los gobiernos no empiezan a actuar ahora. La inacción ante el cambio climático significa inacción en la protección de la salud mental de los jóvenes.

Timothy, ¿puedes decirnos qué significa para ti la ansiedad climática?

La ansiedad climática es para mí una experiencia profundamente personal. El año pasado fui testigo de la devastación causada por graves inundaciones cerca de mi ciudad natal, Tréveris, en el oeste de Alemania. Más de 200 personas perdieron la vida en Europa a causa de las inundaciones.

Recuerdo bien las emociones de aquel verano. Me sentí triste e impotente al ver las noticias. Era la misma sensación de impotencia que experimenté durante el pico de la pandemia del COVID-19. Sólo que esta vez, la catástrofe fue muy cerca de casa.

Mi temor hoy es que este tipo de acontecimientos se repitan una y otra vez. Es una triste realidad. Especialmente, porque la ansiedad por el clima no parece algo con lo que los jóvenes deban lidiar. Como joven, no debería tener que preocuparme por la ignorancia y la inacción de los gobiernos en la lucha contra el cambio climático. La ansiedad climática es una carga innecesaria sobre las espaldas de los jóvenes.

¿Qué podemos hacer contra la ansiedad climática?

En primer lugar, necesitamos más servicios de salud mental asequibles y accesibles.

Si los gobiernos quieren demostrar que se toman en serio la ansiedad climática, deberían hacer todo lo que esté en su mano para mejorar la atención a la salud mental. Esto también incluye una mayor financiación para la investigación de los problemas de salud mental.

Afortunadamente, he visto que a pesar de todos los obstáculos, nuestra generación es resistente. Tras dos años de ausencia, hemos visto cómo los activistas del clima volvían a las calles para la primera huelga climática mundial desde la pandemia.

Lo que he descubierto es que asistir a una manifestación me hace superar las muchas emociones negativas que asocio con el cambio climático. Me siento empoderado y encuentro un sentido de pertenencia, ya que veo que mi generación está luchando juntos. Me ayuda a tranquilizarme un poco.

En última instancia, sin embargo, la única manera de eliminar la ansiedad climática como una de las raíces de los problemas de salud mental es mitigar el cambio climático. Necesitamos una acción climática clara y la necesitamos ahora. (Lee cómo los Verdes/ALE han estado presionando para que se tomen medidas climáticas en la UE).

Debemos mantener la presión. Por ahora, nuestra herramienta más poderosa para hacer que los responsables de la toma de decisiones rindan cuentas es llevar la lucha por la justicia climática a las calles. Debemos exigir a los políticos que actúen ahora, no sólo por nuestra salud mental, sino por un futuro digno en nuestro hermoso planeta.

¿A DÓNDE VAMOS A PARTIR DE AQUÍ?

La mayoría de nosotros tendrá un problema de salud mental en algún momento de su vida. Todos los jóvenes que necesitan servicios de terapia merecen tener acceso a opciones terapéuticas adecuadas, independientemente de su situación económica.

Necesitamos una estrategia de salud mental en la UE. Necesitamos servicios de salud mental asequibles y accesibles para todos. Y especialmente para los más pobres, para los inmigrantes y para los más vulnerables.

Para solucionar la crisis de salud mental de los jóvenes, necesitamos

• Derecho a los servicios de salud mental en toda la UE
• Financiación para la atención e investigación en salud mental
• Poner fin a la falta de vivienda en la UE
• Subsidios de vivienda para los jóvenes
• Una renta mínima en toda la UE
• Prohibición de las prácticas no remuneradas

Somos conscientes de que no hay una rápida solución para estos problemas tan grandes como son el desempleo, la vivienda y la crisis climática. Sin embargo, nuestras historias demuestran que los problemas de salud mental de los jóvenes deben tomarse en serio. Estamos cansados de la pandemia del COVID-19. Estamos cansados de la pandemia de la salud mental.

Está claro que nos encontramos en una encrucijada. Los gobiernos de la UE o siguen ignorando las causas fundamentales de la salud mental o empiezan a actuar. Esperamos que nuestras historias os hayan hecho reflexionar.

¡Ahora queremos conocer tu opinión!

¿Cuál ha sido tu experiencia con la salud mental durante la pandemia? ¿Tienes ansiedad climática? ¿Qué opinas de la guerra en Ucrania?

Estamos deseando que nos lo cuentes en este post de Instagram. Estaremos en los comentarios respondiéndote. ¡Nos vemos allí!

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Die Welt steht in Flammen. Eine globale Pandemie wütet. Die Wirtschaft läuft auf Sparflamme. Es gibt keine Jobs. Junge Menschen können es sich nicht leisten, aus dem Haus ihrer Eltern auszuziehen oder allein zu leben. Nachrichten zu lesen ist deprimierend. Es ist kein Wunder, dass sich die mentalen Probleme junger Menschen (15- bis 24-Jährige) in nur einem Jahr verdoppelt haben. Drei unserer Grünen/EFA-Praktikant*innen – Marco, Carolina und Timothy, junge Menschen aus der ganzen EU – erzählen uns, wie sie von Arbeitslosigkeit, der Wohnungskrise und dem Klimawandel betroffen sind und welche Auswirkungen das auf ihre eigene psychische Gesundheit hat.

Neben COVID-19 gibt es seit Anfang 2020 eine weitere, unsichtbare Pandemie, die den Globus erfasst hat. Die Rede ist von der Krise der mentalen Gesundheit von jungen Menschen. Einem Bericht der OECD (Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) zufolge ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass junge Menschen an Depressionen oder Angstzuständen leiden, seit Beginn der Pandemie um 30 bis 80 % gestiegen.

Die Ursachen für psychische Probleme bei jungen Menschen sind vielfältig. Und natürlich hat jeder junge Mensch seine eigenen persönlichen Belastungen. Es ist jedoch klar, dass unsere Generation mit einigen großen gemeinsamen Problemen zu kämpfen hat. Wir werfen einen genaueren Blick auf drei Themen, mit denen junge Menschen in Europa konfrontiert sind – die Klimakrise, Arbeitslosigkeit und Wohnungsnot – und fragen: Wie sieht es aus, wenn man als junger Mensch in der EU mit diesen Problemen konfrontiert ist? Und wie können wir unsere psychische Gesundheit schützen?

Während du liest, kannst du dir unsere Playlist zur mentalen Gesundheit anhören. Du kannst auch gerne ein bisschen mit uns über unsere gemeinsamen Probleme tanzen!

WOHNUNGSNOT: WIE WIRKT SIE SICH AUF DIE PSYCHISCHE GESUNDHEIT VON JUNGEN MENSCHEN AUS?

Carolina aus Madrid, Spanien

Carolina ist 23 Jahre alt. Sie hat uns erzählt, wie sich die Wohnungsnot auf unsere Generation auswirkt und wie sie glaubt, dass sie die psychische Gesundheit von jungen Menschen beeinträchtigt.

Wie wirkt sich die Wohnungskrise in Europa auf junge Menschen aus?

Eine Wohnung zu finden ist viel schwieriger als früher – vor allem für junge Menschen. Während unsere Eltern oder Großeltern in unserem Alter wahrscheinlich schon einen Job und ein Haus hatten, schaffen wir es kaum, jeden Monat die Miete zu bezahlen.

Ich habe das Glück, bereits in vier Ländern gelebt zu haben: Spanien, Frankreich, Belgien und dem Vereinigten Königreich. In allen Ländern habe ich gesehen, wie meine Freunde unter dem Stress und der Ungewissheit litten, nicht zu wissen, wo sie im nächsten Monat wohnen würden. Ob sie etwas zu einem erschwinglichen Preis finden würden oder ob sie ihre Sachen abholen und wieder nach Hause fahren müssten. 

Hohe Preise und ein sich schnell verändernder Wohnungsmarkt machen es zu einem echten Kampf, eine günstige Wohnung zu finden. Oft gibt es so viele Anforderungen, bevor du einen Vertrag unterschreiben kannst: einen Arbeitsvertrag vorweisen, einen Bürgen finden, für eine Kaution sparen. Das ist eine Hürde, die viele junge Leute einfach nicht überwinden können. In Lyon habe ich in einer privaten Unterkunft für Studenten gewohnt. Trotzdem verlangten sie von mir einen Gehaltsnachweis meiner Eltern für die letzten zwei Jahre und zwei Bürgen, obwohl ich Studentin mit einem Erasmus-Stipendium war.

Warum gestaltet sich die Wohnungssuche in europäischen Städten so schwierig?

In Spanien habe ich auch gesehen, wie unterschiedlich die Lebensbedingungen in Großstädten wie Barcelona und Madrid sind. Die durchschnittliche Monatsmiete in diesen beiden Städten ist 82 % teurer als im Rest des Landes. Meine Freunde, die aus anderen Städten nach Madrid kommen, haben es kaum geschafft, ein Zimmer zu einem erschwinglichen Preis zu finden, während sie auch noch für ihre Ausbildung bezahlen müssen.

In den meisten europäischen Ländern machen junge Menschen im Durchschnitt 20-30 % der Gesamtzahl der Obdachlosen aus. Diese Zahlen sind in den letzten Jahren gestiegen und die Situation hat sich während der Pandemie noch verschlimmert.

Selbst die Glücklichen, die es sich leisten können, Miete zu zahlen, müssen mehr als 50 % ihres Lohns für die Unterkunft aufwenden. Das macht es schwierig, über die Runden zu kommen. Unbezahlte Praktika oder niedrige Löhne zusammen mit den hohen Mietkosten in den meisten europäischen Ländern machen es zu einem Teufelskreis. 

Junge Menschen sitzen in der Falle: Wir sind nicht in der Lage, selbst einen Mietvertrag zu unterschreiben, können uns die Miete nicht leisten und sind nicht in der Lage, für eine eigene Wohnung zu sparen.

Wie wäre es mit einer Wohngemeinschaft? Ist das die Zukunft des Wohnens für junge Menschen?

Eine Wohnung mit fünf anderen Menschen zu teilen ist für Menschen mit Mitte 20 oder 30 normal geworden. In Städten wie Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam oder Brüssel liegt die durchschnittliche Monatsmiete für eine Wohnung bei 1000 €, während der Durchschnittslohn für junge Menschen in Spanien oder Italien bei 1200 € liegt. Es ist klar – diese Rechnung geht nicht auf. Die einzige Möglichkeit, unabhängig zu werden, ist eine Wohngemeinschaft.

Das Teilen einer Wohnung wird oft als „bereichernde Erfahrung” oder „Leben in einem multikulturellen Umfeld” bezeichnet. Und oft wird es auch als Zusammenwohnen bezeichnet. Mit dieser Formulierung wird versucht, die sehr prekäre Situation, in der sich so viele junge Menschen in ganz Europa befinden, zu romantisieren. Das Zusammenleben mit Fremden ist keine coole persönliche Vorliebe – es ist unsere einzige Option.

Was hat die Wohnungskrise mit mentaler Gesundheit zu tun?

Die Kosten für die Miete, die Angst, keine Wohnung zu finden oder auf die finanzielle Unterstützung der Eltern angewiesen zu sein, sind Ängste, die viele junge Menschen in ganz Europa teilen. 

Die Ungewissheit macht es für junge Menschen fast unmöglich, ohne einen festen Job überhaupt daran zu denken, Kinder zu bekommen oder ein Haus zu kaufen. Sie verändert unsere wichtigsten Lebensentscheidungen. Sie kann dazu führen, dass wir uns gefangen und wertlos fühlen. Diese Unsicherheit über die Zukunft erzeugt ständigen Stress und die Sorge, was als Nächstes passieren wird. 

Wohnungsnot kann zu Ungewissheit, Unsicherheit, Ängsten, Unbehagen oder Depressionen führen. Diese Gefühle können auch bestehende psychische Erkrankungen verschlimmern. Die meisten obdachlosen jungen Menschen haben bereits mit mentalen Problemen zu kämpfen, was es für sie noch schwieriger machen kann, die Hürden der Wohnungssuche zu überwinden.

Ich würde mir eine EU-Strategie für psychische Gesundheit wünschen. Wir brauchen einen europaweiten Ansatz für die psychische Gesundheit. Egal, wo in Europa du herkommst, mentale Gesundheitsdienste sind für uns alle erschwinglich und zugänglich. Und natürlich müssen wir den Zugang zu bezahlbaren Wohnungen für alle sicherstellen.

ARBEITSLOSIGKEIT: WIE WIRKT SIE SICH AUF DIE PSYCHISCHE GESUNDHEIT VON JUNGEN MENSCHEN AUS?

Marco aus Mailand, Italien

Marco ist 26 Jahre alt. Er hat uns erzählt, wie sich die Arbeitslosigkeit auf seine Psyche ausgewirkt hat und wie sie sich auf die mentale Gesundheit von jungen Menschen im Allgemeinen auswirkt. 

Marco, wie hat es sich angefühlt, während der Pandemie arbeitslos zu sein?

Ich war 24 Jahre alt, als ich von Kopenhagen nach Brüssel zog, in der Hoffnung, bald ins Arbeitsleben einsteigen zu können. 

Nach den ersten Tagen wurde mir klar, dass die Konkurrenz um einen bezahlten Praktikumsplatz in meinem Interessengebiet (Internationale Beziehungen und Zusammenarbeit) sehr groß war. Der Stellenmarkt war gesättigt. Ich versuchte, einen Job in einer Bar, einem Restaurant oder einem Laden zu finden, um meine Rechnungen bezahlen zu können. Aber leider machte alles innerhalb von zwei Wochen dicht. 

Also schraubte ich meine Erwartungen herunter und hoffte einfach, so schnell wie möglich irgendeine Einnahmequelle zu finden. Ich durchlief eine scheinbar unendliche Reihe von Bewerbungsprozessen und bekam nur Ablehnungen zurück. Sie begannen immer mit: „Obwohl Ihr Profil sehr gut zu dieser Stelle passt, haben wir uns in diesem Fall entschieden, Ihre Bewerbung nicht weiter zu bearbeiten”. Oder: „Ich schreibe Ihnen, um Ihnen mitzuteilen, dass Sie nicht für ein Vorstellungsgespräch ausgewählt wurden, aber wir sind uns sicher, dass Sie aufgrund Ihres hervorragenden Profils in Zukunft etwas anderes finden werden!”. Aber mein Profil allein reichte nicht aus. Ich brauchte Arbeitserfahrung, bevor ich ein Praktikum bekommen konnte.

Ich verbrachte Monate in einer prekären Situation, sowohl mental als auch finanziell. Die COVID-Beschränkungen und der Lockdown hatten weitere negative Auswirkungen auf meinen Tagesablauf. Nach sechs Monaten hatte ich fast ein Burnout erreicht. Schließlich war ich gezwungen, für ein paar Monate zurück nach Italien zu gehen, was meine Lage noch verschlimmerte. Ich dachte, ich hätte den Kampf um einen Job verloren.

Wie haben sich die COVID-19-Pandemie und die Arbeitslosigkeit auf junge Menschen ausgewirkt?

Am Ende entschied ich mich, einen bezahlten Job aufzugeben und ein unbezahltes Praktikum zu machen, um meinen Lebenslauf aufzubessern (was auch gelang) und um wenigstens das Gefühl zu haben, etwas zu tun.

Ich hatte das Glück, dass meine Familie mich auf die eine oder andere Weise unterstützen konnte. Aber trotz der verschiedenen Teilzeitjobs, die ich nebenher hatte, war ich immer auf jemanden angewiesen. Mehr als einmal hatte ich das Gefühl, dass mir meine Würde geraubt wurde. Dieses Gefühl der Unzulänglichkeit ließ mich an meinen Fähigkeiten zweifeln, meine Entscheidungen in Frage zu stellen und das Vertrauen in das Beschäftigungssystem verlieren. 

Hast du in den letzten zwei Jahren eine ähnliche Erfahrung gemacht? Du bist nicht allein. 
Einer Studie von Eurostat zufolge gab es im Jahr 2020 fast 14 Millionen junge Erwachsene (im Alter von 20 bis 34 Jahren), die weder erwerbstätig waren noch eine Ausbildung absolvierten.

Neueste Erkenntnisse zu Arbeitslosigkeit und mentaler Gesundheit junger Menschen

Was wird getan, um Arbeitslosigkeit und psychische Gesundheit junger Menschen in der EU zu bekämpfen?

2022 ist das Europäische Jahr der Jugend, das die Bedeutung der europäischen Jugend ins Rampenlicht rücken soll. Die EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben ihre Investitionspläne vorgelegt, um den allgemeinen Lebensstandard junger Menschen in der Europäischen Union nach der COVID-19-Pandemie zu verbessern.

Kim Van Sparrentak, eine der jüngsten Europaabgeordneten der Grünen/EFA, hat das Thema im vergangenen Februar mit einer brillanten Rede in der Debatte des Europäischen Parlaments „Eine Jugend, ein Europa” angesprochen.

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Die Grünen/EFA-Fraktion arbeitet Hand in Hand mit der FYEG (Vereinigung Junger Europäischer Grüner). Gemeinsam setzen wir uns für ein Verbot von unbezahlten Praktika und für einen Mindeststandard an Rechten für die Arbeitsbedingungen junger Menschen ein.

Für mich wäre das der erste praktische Schritt, um eine Lücke zu schließen, die zu viele junge Menschen durchlaufen müssen, bevor sie ein anständiges, menschenwürdiges Einkommen erzielen und ihren Übergang ins Erwachsenenleben beginnen können.

KLIMAANGST: WIE WIRKT SICH DER KLIMAWANDEL AUF DIE MENTALE GESUNDHEIT VON JUNGEN MENSCHEN AUS?

Timothy aus Trier, Deutschland

Timothy ist 26 Jahre alt und hat die schottische und deutsche Staatsangehörigkeit. Gemeinsam haben wir darüber gesprochen, wie sich der Klimawandel auf die psychische Gesundheit junger Menschen auswirkt und ihre Ängste schürt.

Was genau ist Klimaangst?

Klimaangst ist eine Form der psychischen Belastung durch die Bedrohung, die von der Klimakrise ausgeht. Sie ist ein relativ neues Phänomen, aber ihre Auswirkungen sind weit verbreitet. Eine aktuelle Studie aus Deutschland hat gezeigt, dass 55 % der jungen Menschen über die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf ihr Wohlbefinden besorgt sind.

Als junge Menschen neigen wir dazu, die Klimaangst intensiver zu erleben, da wir die Generation sind, die die Folgen der Erderwärmung tragen wird. Die Klimaangst von jungen Menschen wird oft auf ein Gefühl der Machtlosigkeit zurückgeführt, das entsteht, wenn Regierungen zu wenig tun, um den Klimawandel aufzuhalten.

Wir haben jetzt eine Phase erreicht, in der wir die Folgen des Klimawandels direkt vor unseren Augen sehen. Viele von uns haben Naturkatastrophen wie Waldbrände, Dürren und Überschwemmungen miterlebt oder waren sogar selbst davon betroffen. Wir haben das Gefühl, dass der Klimawandel unausweichlich ist. Es wird zu wenig und zu spät getan. Bei jungen Menschen hat die Angst vor dem Klimawandel stark zugenommen, weil sie um ihre eigene Zukunft und die des Planeten fürchten.

Diese Angst wird auch durch den jüngsten IPCC-Bericht (Weltklimarat) geschürt, der uns verdeutlicht, dass die Klimakatastrophen noch schlimmer werden, wenn die Regierungen nicht sofort handeln. Tatenlosigkeit beim Klimawandel bedeutet Tatenlosigkeit beim Schutz der psychischen Gesundheit von jungen Menschen.

Timothy, kannst du uns sagen, was Klimaangst für dich bedeutet?

Klimaangst ist für mich eine sehr persönliche Erfahrung. Letztes Jahr wurde ich Zeuge der verheerenden Überschwemmungen in der Nähe meiner Heimatstadt Trier, Rheinland-Pfalz. Mehr als 200 Menschen in Europa verloren ihr Leben durch die Fluten.

Ich erinnere mich noch gut an die Erlebnisse in diesem Sommer. Ich fühlte mich traurig und machtlos, als ich die Nachrichten sah. Es war dasselbe Gefühl der Hilflosigkeit, das ich während des Höhepunkts der COVID-19-Pandemie erlebte. Nur dass die Katastrophe dieses Mal so nah an meinem Zuhause war.

Heute befürchte ich, dass sich solche Ereignisse immer wiederholen werden. Das ist eine traurige Realität. Vor allem, weil sich Klimaangst nicht wie etwas anfühlt, mit dem sich junge Menschen beschäftigen sollten. Als junger Mensch sollte ich mir keine Sorgen über die Ignoranz und Untätigkeit von Regierungen im Kampf gegen den Klimawandel machen müssen. Die Klimaangst ist eine unnötige Last auf den Schultern junger Menschen.

Was können wir gegen die Klimaangst tun? 

Zum einen brauchen wir unbedingt mehr erschwingliche und zugängliche Gesundheitsdienste für Menschen mit mentalen Problemen. 

Wenn die Regierungen wirklich zeigen wollen, dass sie die Klimaangst ernst nehmen, dann sollten sie alles in ihrer Macht stehende tun, um die psychische Gesundheitsversorgung zu verbessern. Dazu gehört auch, dass mehr Mittel für die Erforschung von mentalen Problemen bereitgestellt werden. 

Zum Glück habe ich festgestellt, dass unsere Generation trotz aller Hindernisse widerstandsfähig ist. Nach zweijähriger Abwesenheit haben wir alle miterlebt, wie Klimaaktivisten für den ersten globalen Klimastreik seit der Pandemie auf die Straße gegangen sind. 

Ich habe für mich selbst herausgefunden, dass die Teilnahme an einer Kundgebung mich die vielen negativen Gefühle überwinden lässt, die ich mit dem Klimawandel verbinde. Ich fühle mich gestärkt und habe das Gefühl, dazuzugehören, weil ich sehe, dass meine Generation diesen Kampf gemeinsam führt. Das hilft mir wirklich, mich ein bisschen zu beruhigen.

Letztendlich können wir die Klimaangst als eine der Ursachen für psychische Probleme aber nur beseitigen, wenn wir den Klimawandel eindämmen. Wir brauchen klare Klimaschutzmaßnahmen und zwar jetzt. (Lies nach, wie die Grünen/EFA auf Klimamaßnahmen in der EU gedrängt haben).

Wir müssen den Druck aufrechterhalten. Unser mächtigstes Instrument, um Entscheidungsträger*innen zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen, ist es, den Kampf für Klimagerechtigkeit auf die Straße zu tragen. Wir müssen von Politikerinnen und Politikern verlangen, dass sie jetzt handeln – nicht nur um unserer geistigen Gesundheit willen, sondern für eine lebenswerte Zukunft auf unserem schönen Planeten.

UND WIE GEHT ES NUN WEITER?

Die meisten von uns werden irgendwann in ihrem Leben ein mentales Problem haben. Jeder junge Mensch, der Therapie benötigt, hat unabhängig von seiner finanziellen Situation das Recht auf Zugang zu angemessenen Therapieangeboten.

Wir brauchen eine EU-Strategie für psychische Gesundheit. Wir brauchen psychische Gesundheitsdienste, die erschwinglich und für alle zugänglich sind. Vor allem für die Bedürftigsten, für Migrant*innen und für alle, die Schutz benötigen. 

Um die Krise der mentalen Gesundheit junger Menschen zu lösen, brauchen wir:

• Ein Recht auf psychosoziale Dienste in der gesamten EU
• Finanzielle Mittel für die psychische Gesundheitsversorgung und Forschung
• Ein Ende der Obdachlosigkeit in der EU
• Wohngeld für junge Menschen
• Ein EU-weites Mindesteinkommen
• Ein Verbot von unbezahlten Praktika

Uns ist klar, dass es keine schnellen Lösungen für große Probleme wie Arbeitslosigkeit, Wohnungsnot und die Klimakrise gibt. Doch unsere Geschichten zeigen, dass die Sorgen junger Menschen um ihre mentale Gesundheit ernst genommen werden sollten. Wir haben genug von der COVID-19-Pandemie. Und wir haben genug von der Pandemie der psychischen Gesundheit. 

Europa befindet sich jetzt eindeutig an einem Scheideweg. Entweder ignorieren die EU-Regierungen weiterhin die Ursachen für die psychische Gesundheit oder sie beginnen zu handeln. Wir hoffen, dass unsere Geschichten ihnen einen Denkanstoß gegeben haben. 

Und jetzt seid ihr dran!

Wie geht es eurer mentalen Gesundheit seit Beginn der Pandemie? Beeinflusst der Klimawandel auch eure mentale Gesundheit?

Wir würden uns freuen, wenn ihr euch mit uns unter diesem Instagram Post austauscht. Wir warten in den Kommentaren auf euch – wir sehen uns also dort!

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The world is on fire. A global pandemic is raging. The economy is in slow mo. There are no jobs. Young people can’t afford to move out of their parents’ house or live on their own. Reading the news is depressing. It’s no wonder that youth mental health problems have doubled in just one year. This year’s #EuropeanMentalHealthWeek three of our Greens/EFA interns – Marco, Carolina and Timothy, young people from all over the EU – tell us how they have been affected by unemployment, the housing crisis and climate change, and the impact on their own mental health.

Alongside COVID-19, another invisible pandemic has swept the globe since the beginning of 2020. We are talking about the crisis in youth mental health. Young people are 30% to 80% more likely to experience depression or anxiety since the pandemic started, says a report by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

The causes of mental health issues amongst young people are varied. And, of course, each young person has their own personal burdens. However, it is clear that our generation is confronted with some huge common problems. We’re taking a closer look at three issues facing young people in Europe – the climate crisis, unemployment and housing – and asking: what is it like to face these problems as a young person in the EU? And how can we protect our mental health?

While you read, why not listen to our mental health playlist? Feel free to dance a little with us over our shared problems!

Housing struggles: how do they affect youth mental health?

Carolina from Madrid, Spain

Carolina is 23 years old. We had a chat with her and she told us how housing struggles affect our generation’s mental health.

How is the housing crisis in Europe impacting young people?

Finding a house is much more difficult than it was in the past – particularly for young people. While our parents or grandparents already had a job and a house at our age, we barely manage to pay rent each month.

I’ve been lucky enough to live in four countries: Spain, France, Belgium and the UK. In all of them, I’ve seen how my friends suffered the stress and uncertainty of not knowing where they would live next month. If they would find something at an affordable price or if they would have to pick up their things and go home again.

High prices and a rapidly changing housing market make it a real struggle to find anywhere cheap to live. Often there are so many requirements before you can sign a contract. You have to secure an employment contract, find a guarantor, save for a deposit. It’s a barrier many young people simply won’t be able to cross. In Lyon, I lived in private accommodation for students. Even so, they asked me for my parents’ salary over the last two years and for two guarantors. This was despite being a student with an Erasmus grant.

Why is finding housing in European cities so difficult?

In Spain, I’ve also seen the different realities of living in big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid. The average monthly rent in these two cities is 82% more expensive than in the rest of the country. My friends coming to Madrid from other cities hardly managed to find a room at an affordable price. At the same time they had to pay for their education.

On average, young people make up 20-30% of the total number of homeless people in the majority of European countries. These numbers have increased in the last years and the situation has only become worse during the pandemic.

Even the luckiest, who can afford to pay rent, have to put more than 50% of their wages towards housing. Which makes it difficult to make ends meet. Unpaid internships or low wages added to the high cost of rent in most European countries makes it a vicious circle.

Young people are trapped. We’re unable to sign a rental contract by ourselves. Most of us are unable to afford rent and unable to save for our own home.

What about sharing a flat? Is this the future of housing for young people?

Sharing a flat with five other people has become the normal thing for people in their mid-20s or 30s. In cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels, the average monthly rent for a flat is around 1000€. All the while, the average wage for young people in Spain or Italy is 1200€. It’s not difficult to do the maths. The only way to become independent is to share a flat.

People talk about sharing a flat as an ‘enriching experience’ or ‘living in a multicultural environment’. They call it co-living. This wording tries to romanticise the very precarious situation so many young people find themselves in all over Europe. Living with strangers is not a cool personal preference – it’s our only option.

What has the housing crisis got to do with mental health?

The cost of rent, the anxiety of not finding a place to live or having to rely on your parents’ financial support are fears that many young people throughout Europe share.

The uncertainty makes it almost impossible for young people to even think about having children. Let alone buying a house without a stable job. It changes our major life choices. It can make us feel trapped and worthless. This insecurity about the future creates constant stress and concern about what will happen next.

Housing struggles can lead to uncertainty, insecurity, anxiety, feeling uncomfortable or feeling depressed. These feelings can also worsen any existing mental health conditions. The majority of homeless young people are already dealing with mental health issues, which can make it even harder for them to overcome the housing hurdles.

I would like to see an EU mental health strategy. We need an Europe-wide approach to mental health. So no matter where in Europe you’re from, mental health services are affordable and accessible to all of us. And, of course, we have to ensure access to affordable homes for everyone.

Unemployment: how does it affect youth mental health?

Marco from Pavia, Italy

Marco is 26 years old. He told us how being unemployed has affected him mentally and how it is affecting youth mental health in general.

Marco, how did it feel being unemployed during the pandemic?

I was 24 when I moved from Copenhagen to Brussels, hoping to start my working life soon.

After the first few days, I understood that the level of competition to get a paid internship related to my interests (International Relations and Cooperation) was very high. The job market was saturated. I tried to find a job in a bar, a restaurant or a shop. Without it I would not have been able to pay my bills. But, unfortunately, within two weeks everything closed down.

So, I lowered my expectations and simply hoped to find any source of income as soon as possible. I carried on through aseemingly infinite series of application forms and subsequent rejections. They always started with, “Despite your profile being highly qualified for the position, on this occasion, we’ve decided not to take your application further”. Or again, “I’m writing to let you know that you’ve not been selected for an interview, but we are sure you will find something else in the future, considering your brilliant profile!”. But my profile alone wasn’t enough. I needed work experience before I could get work experience.

I spent months in a precarious condition, both mentally and financially. Covid-19 restrictions and the lockdown had a further negative impact on my daily routine. After six months, I had almost reached a burnout. Eventually, I had to go back home to Italy for a few months, which made me feel worse. I thought I had lost the battle to win a job.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic and unemployment affected young people?

In the end, I decided to give up on a paid job and start an unpaid internship to keep boosting my CV. It definitely did – and at least I felt like I was doing something.

I’m lucky enough that my family was able to support me in one way or the other. But, despite the various part-time jobs I had on the side, I’ve always been dependent on somebody. More than once, I felt that my very dignity was being stripped away from me. Such a feeling of inadequacy made me doubt my skills. It also made me second guess the choices I’d made and lose confidence in the employment system.

Have you had a similar experience in the last two years? You are not alone.

According to research by Eurostat, in 2020 there were almost 14 million young adults (aged 20–34) who were neither in employment nor in education and training.

A recent study by the European Parliament showed that young people were particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

What is being done to tackle unemployment and youth mental health in the EU?

2022 is the European Year of Youth, which aims to shine a light on the importance of on the importance of giving a voice to the challenges that our youth has to undergo. EU Member States have submitted their investment plans to improve overall living standards for young people in the European Union, after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kim Van Sparrentak, one of the Greens/EFA’s youngest MEPs, addressed the issue last February with a brilliant speech in the European Parliament debate, “One youth, one Europe”.

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The Greens/EFA Group works hand in hand with the FYEG (the umbrella organisation for Young Greens in Europe). Together, we’re campaigning for a ban on unpaid internships. We want a minimum standard of rights for young people’s working conditions.

For me, this would be the first practical step to fill a gap that too many young people have to undergo before being able to earn a decent, dignified income and start their transition into adulthood.

Climate anxiety: how does climate change affect young people’s mental health?

Timothy from Trier, Germany

Timothy is 26 years old, and of Scottish and German nationality. Together we discussed how climate change affects youth mental health and fuels young people’s anxiety.

What is climate anxiety exactly?

Climate anxiety is a form of psychological distress from the threat posed by the climate crisis. It’s a relatively new phenomenon, but its effects are widespread. A recent study from Germany showed that 55% of young people were concerned by the impacts of climate change on their wellbeing.

As young people, we tend to experience climate anxiety more intensely. We are the generation that will bear the consequences of a warming planet. Climate anxiety among the youth is often attributed to a sense of powerlessness that arises when governments do too little to stop climate change.

We have now reached a period where we’re seeing the consequences of climate change unfold in front of our eyes. We have all witnessed or even been personally affected by natural disasters like forest fires, droughts and floods. There is a sense of inevitability about climate change. Too little is being done, too late. Climate anxiety in young people has shot up, as they fear for their own and the planet’s future.

This anxiety is also fuelled by the recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report, that tells us that these climate disasters will get worse if governments do not start acting now. Inaction on climate change means inaction on protecting youth mental health.

Timothy, can you tell us what climate anxiety means to you?

Climate anxiety to me is a deeply personal experience. Last year, I witnessed the devastation caused by severe floods close to my hometown of Trier, in the west of Germany. More than 200 people in Europe lost their lives to the floods.

I remember the emotions of that summer well. I felt sad and powerless watching the news. It was that same sense of helplessness I experienced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only this time, the catastrophe hit so close to home.

My fear today is that these types of events will happen over and over again. It is a sad reality. Especially, because climate anxiety does not feel like something young people should be dealing with. As a young person, I should not have to worry about the ignorance and inaction of governments in the fight against climate change. Climate anxiety is an unnecessary burden on the backs of young people.

What can we do about climate anxiety?

First, we absolutely need more affordable and accessible mental health services.

If governments really want to show that they take climate anxiety seriously, then they should do everything in their power to improve mental health care. This also includes more funding for research into mental health issues.

Thankfully, I have seen that despite all obstacles, our generation is a resilient one. After a 2-year absence, we saw climate activists return to the streets for the first global climate strike since the pandemic.

What I have found out for myself is that attending a rally makes me overcome the many negative emotions I associate with climate change. I feel empowered and find a sense of belonging, as I see that my generation is in this fight together. It really helps put my mind at ease a bit.

Ultimately, the only way we can eliminate climate anxiety as one of the roots for mental health problems is to mitigate climate change. We need clear climate action and we need it now. (Read how the Greens/EFA have been pushing for climate action in the EU).

We must keep up the pressure. Our most powerful tool to hold decision-makers to account is to take the fight for climate justice to the streets. We must demand that politicians act now. Not just for the sake of our mental health, but for a worthwhile future on our beautiful planet.

So, where do we go from here?

Most of us will have a mental health problem at some point in our life. Every young person in need of therapy services deserves access to appropriate therapy options, regardless of their financial situation.

We need an EU mental health strategy. We need mental health services that are affordable and accessible to all. And especially for the poorest, for migrants and for the most vulnerable.

To fix the mental health crisis for young people, we need:

• A right to mental health services across the EU
• Funding for mental health care and research
• An end to homelessness in the EU
• Housing allowances for young people
• An EU-wide minimum income
• A ban of unpaid internships

We realise that there are no quick fixes to big problems like unemployment, housing and the climate crisis. Yet, our stories show that young people’s mental health concerns should be taken seriously. We are tired of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are tired of the mental health pandemic.

Clearly, we are now at a crossroads. EU governments either keep ignoring the root causes for mental health or start acting. We hope that our stories have given them some food for thought.

Now we want to hear from you!

What are your experiences with mental health during the pandemic? Do you have climate anxiety? What are your thoughts on the war in Ukraine? We are looking forward to hear from under this Instagram post.

We will be in the comments to reply – see you there!

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Olena Prokopchuk was in Kyiv when the Russian invasion of Ukraine started. She is now based in Lviv and works for a Ukrainian human rights organisation called “Right to Protection”. Her dad, sister and brother are still in Kyiv. With her once peaceful life now being torn apart by war, Olena writes about her hopes for peace and the reality of living a life she didn’t choose – like all people affected by the war in Ukraine.

— UPDATE —

Since her last blog was published, Olena’s friend and colleague, and environmental activist, Semen was killed defending Severodonetsk, a town in Eastern Ukraine, just 12 days after his wedding. His death is a reminder of the tragic and senseless loss of life due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Olena would like to publish the following testimonial to Semen:

“Twelve days after his wedding, environmental activist turned soldier, Semen, was killed while defending Severodonetsk in the East of Ukraine.

Semen dreamt of  becoming an arborist. At 22, he was already an environmental activist, a deputy military commander, a best friend, a comrade, a son, a brother and a husband.

I knew Semen as a colleague. He joined our small team in the environmental foundation, Peli can live, in the winter of 2021. After our first Zoom meeting, my colleague and I shared our impressions of him. Slightly naive. Very responsible. Open and honest. To put it diplomatically: he spoke frankly. His honesty and direct manner were well intentioned. Neither management nor his colleagues were ever offended by it.

We met in person only two or three times. During the pandemic, we worked remotely. I was living outside Kyiv, in the Zhytomyr region. Our meetings were wonderful, inspiring and joyful. We met to discuss the organization’s development strategy and priorities.”

“We talked, argued and laughed a lot. More than anything, I would like to live this day again.”

Then, in June 2022, Semen was killed while defending Severodonetsk, a town in Eastern Ukraine.

Leadership, dignity, selflessness, light, support to others, love for people and nature was all about you, Semen.

Just before his death, Semen gave an interview to the Ukrainian military journalist Yuriy Butusov, and also shared his sleeping bag with him. It was a usual thing for him – to share with others everything he had, to give his food or warm clothes, convincing everyone that he needed it the least.”

Semen died defending Severodonetsk at the age of 22. His body was brought to Kyiv, and his ashes were scattered by his relatives in Trakhtemirivskyi island. 

It’s hard to let you go, Semen. You and thousands of others who, like you, while being so young, so brave, active, honest and open, took up arms. You, Roman Ratushny, Artem Dymyd and many others – you are forever in our hearts. In your young age, you have achieved so much! Semen, wherever you are now, may you be surrounded by the Zaporozhzhia steppes, the slopes of the Dnipro and the Carpathian mountains. Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting.”

To read more about Semen in the words of his friends, colleagues and family, please click here.

— Оновлення —

З часу публікації останнього блогу Олени, її друг і колега, екологічний активіст Семен загинув, захищаючи Сєвєродонецьк, місто на сході України, всього через 12 днів після свого весілля. Його смерть є нагадуванням про трагічну і безглузду втрату життя внаслідок російської агресії в Україні.

Семен міг стати арбористом – мріяв про це. У свої 22 роки він уже був природоохоронцем, заступником командира роти (став ним лише за кілька місяців), а ще – найкращим другом, бойовим товаришем, сином, братом і чоловіком.

Я знала Семена як колегу:  він приєднався до нашої  маленької команди природоохоронного фонду «Peli can live» взимку 2021 року. Після першої ж спільної Zoom-зустрічі ми з колегою обмінялися враженнями й зійшлись на думці, що хлопець ок. Злегка наївний, дуже відповідальний, відкритий і чесний:  те, що я намагалася загорнути в дипломатичну форму, він говорив відверто. Ось ця його чесність і прямота підкупали: ніхто – ні керівництво, ні колеги – на це ніколи не ображалися.

Ми зустрічалися наживо лише двічі чи тричі. Під час пандемії  ми працювали дистанційно, до того ж я жила за Києвом, у Житомирській області. Проте це були чудові, натхненні й веселі зустрічі. Ми зустрілися, щоб обговорити стратегію розвитку організації та пріоритети нашої роботи. Ми багато говорили, сперечалися і сміялися. Більш за все я хотіла б пережити цей день знову.

У червні 2022 року Семен загинув, захищаючи Сєвєродонецьк, місто на сході України.

Лідерство, благородство, безкорисливість, підтримка інших, світло, любов до людей та природи – це все про тебе, Семен.

Напередодні загибелі Семен дав інтерв’ю українському військовому журналісту Юрію Бутусову, а ще поділився з ним своїм спальником. Для нього це було як зазвичай – поділитися з ближнім тим, що мав, віддати свою їжу чи теплий одяг, переконавши всіх, що йому це треба найменше.

…Семен загинув при захисті Сєвєродонецька у віці 22 років, його тіло вдалося привезти до Києва, його прах рідні розвіяли над Трахтемирівським півостровом. Буквально за 12 днів до загибелі Семен одружився.

Важко Тебе відпускати, Семене. Ти і тисячі таких, як Ти, які, ще будучи такими молодими, такими сміливими, активними, чесними і відкритими, взяли до рук зброю. Ти, Роман Ратушний, Артем Димид і багато інших – ви назавжди у наших серцях. За ваш юний вік ви змогли так непомірно багато!.. Семене, хай там, де Ти є зараз, Тебе оточують запорізькі степи, схили Дніпра і карпатські гори. Україна стоїть, Україна бореться.

Більше про Семена зі слів його друзів, колег та рідних можна прочитати за посиланням.

5 May 2022

I never intended to be a hero. At 32, I was thinking about other things. Being unhappy with office work. My next career move. Whether I’d ever be able to buy my own place. Wanting to get married and start a family. I never wanted to fear for my life, or count the number of explosions, or ask my friends if they were safe and sound, or read the news about the women raped just a few miles from my apartment. Least of all, did I want to be a hero.

Today in Ukraine, each of us is a hero. We get up in the morning and read the news. We message dozens of people during the day, just to make sure they’re alive. We work and volunteer. Each of us is a link among many others, ensuring that Ukraine stands strong against Russia.

I did not believe it would last this long. First, that we would be able to defend ourselves so strongly. And second, that it would take so much time. We want to go back to peace as soon as possible.

All I wanted to do in the first hours of Russian aggression was run and hide – and make sure I was no longer threatened. Back in January, my friends and I had decided that if the war started, we would leave the city together. Our plan was to go to Vorzel, a small town just next to Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel – the places where the Russian military have shown an inhuman level of cruelty and violence.

“All I wanted to do in the first hours of Russian aggression was run and hide. I was lucky to spend the first days of the war with someone who said it would be safer in a big city. She saved me from making any hasty mistakes.“

Instead, I stayed in Kyiv. I was lucky to spend the first days of the war with someone who knew where to find information about the safest place during the shelling. She balanced me emotionally and helped me get through the first shock of the war. She said it would be safer in a big city – and that saved me from making any hasty mistakes.

I spent the first twenty days of this new phase of the war in Kyiv. After that, I couldn’t take it any longer. It became clear from the damage that the missiles were flying right over my head — and it was only a matter of time or chance before they would hit my house. So we fled to Lviv. We spent four days travelling – me, my colleague and our three cats.

“It became clear from the damage that the missiles were flying right over my head — and it was only a matter of time or chance before they would hit my house.“

Today, in relatively safe and calm Lviv (though no place in Ukraine is truly safe now), I was drinking a coffee in a café. I was thinking how difficult it is to compare my life during peace (when I could just plan things, when I knew what to be ready for, when I could just go out into the street) with this new wartime experience (when I walk in the street and hear jet fighters overhead). It is very difficult to accept that this is the new reality of our lives. It is very difficult to make sense of it in your head. Everything is divided into before the war and after the war.

This war reality is taking more and more space within us. Only sometimes it breaks through: spring has begun, the apricot trees are blooming, the street I’m walking down has beautiful buildings, this food is very tasty, we are not talking about the war…

“It is very difficult to accept that this is the new reality of our lives. It is very difficult to make sense of it in your head. Everything is divided into before the war and after the war.“

Sometimes, when I work, I feel like crying. My colleagues are members of the local human rights organisation in Mariupol. They have not been in touch for about a month now. I ask myself if they are alive.

My father is staying in Kyiv, just like my sister and brother. Thank God, they have not been injured. I decided to go to Lviv knowing that they were staying in Kyiv. I suggested that we go all together – they refused, and I left. This is one of the decisions that each of us has to make during the war. I never intended to make decisions with consequences of this magnitude. I don’t want to think that I may just never see them again. If I could choose, of course I would rather not have this experience, not make these decisions or go through this ordeal.

“When it’s all over and we win, I will breathe a sigh of relief and I will say — yes, we’ve made it. Everyone fighting for freedom in Ukraine, and everyone who is supporting us from the outside.“

When it’s all over and we win, I will breathe a sigh of relief and I will say — yes, we’ve made it. Everyone fighting for freedom in Ukraine, and everyone who is supporting us from the outside. Everyone who publishes the truth about this war. We will all win, because we stand for the light and the truth. And I promise, we will all feel like heroes – because we already are.

For resources and ways on how you can help people in Ukraine, visit our page here.

Haben deine Socken bereits zwei Wochen nachdem du sie gekauft hast Löcher? Zögerst du, deine Lieblingsjeans zu tragen, weil sie bereits wieder “aus der Mode” ist? Oder hast du dich schon einmal gewundert, wie ein T-Shirt im Sommer-Schlussverkauf nur 1€ kosten kann?

Das ist Fast Fashion – schnelllebige Mode – und sie entwickelt sich zu einem Problem für uns Menschen und den Planeten. Wir glauben, dass es Zeit für eine Fashion Revolution ist!

Fast Fashion bedeutet Ausbeutung von Arbeitskräften und natürlichen Ressourcen. Lies hier, wie die Europäische Kommission plant, dieses Problem mit der EU Textil-Strategie zu lösen und was wir tun können, um die Fashion-Industrie zu einem Teil einer Kreislaufwirtschaft zu machen.

Die ultra Fast Fashion-Welt – Es ist Zeit für eine Fashion-Revolution

“Neu angekommen für den Herbst! Kauf jetzt unsere Frühlings-Sommer-Kollektion. Neues Jahr, neue Garderobe, neues Du!” Einmal Blinzeln – und du hast es verpasst. Die Geschwindigkeit, mit der Fast Fashion Labels Kleidung produzieren, verkaufen und wegwerfen ist wirklich erstaunlich. Fashion Weeks in London, Paris, New York und Mailand geben jedes Jahr mit einer neuen Auswahl an Modekreationen an. Diese Veranstaltungen befeuern die Nachfrage nach trendiger Kleidung, eine Saison nach der anderen. Mode wird schneller designed, produziert und verkauft als jemals zuvor.

2013 erschütterte das Ausmaß dieses Mode-Wettkampfs die Welt als die Rana Plaza Textilfabrik in Bangladesh kollabierte. Über eintausend Arbeitskräfte, die meisten davon Frauen, starben in dem größtem Textilfabrik-Unglück der Geschichte. Die Auswirkungen der Rana Plaza-Tragödie sind fast ein Jahrzehnt später immer noch spürbar. Die Fabrik produzierte Kleidung für Marken wie Prada, Gucci und Versace – ein paar der bekanntesten Fast Fashion Marken. Trotzdem verdienen die Arbeiter*innen weniger als 100$ im Monat.

Als Reaktion auf Rana Plaza hat sich die Fashion-Revolution Bewegung in mehr als 100 Ländern auf der ganzen Welt gebildet. Sie fordern mehr Transparenz und Verantwortung von Modemarken gegenüber ihren Arbeitnehmer*innen und der Umwelt. Im April gedenken wir den Opfern der Rana Plaza-Tragödie und fragen Fast Fashion-Marken: “Wer hat meine Kleidung produziert?”

Das Problem mit Fast Fashion – Wie wird unsere Kleidung gemacht?

Natürlich, zu wissen, wer unsere Kleidung macht, ist nur die Spitze des Eisbergs. Mit der Klimakrise vor unserer Türe, müssen wir uns auch fragen wie unsere Kleidung gemacht wird. Die Fast Fashion-Industrie ist bekannt dafür, Menschenrechte und Umweltstandards zu missachten – und Du musst nicht schon in den 90er-Jahren geboren sein, um vom Nike Sweatshop-Skandal mitbekommen zu haben.

Arbeiter*innen in der Fast Fashion-Industrie sind giftigen Chemikalien ausgesetzt, die für die Baumwoll-Verarbeitung verwendet werden. Giftige Substanzen werden auch für das Färben und Bedrucken von Stoffen eingesetzt, trotz ihrer schrecklichen Konsequenzen für die Gesundheit der Arbeitenden.

Und auch dem Planet geht es dabei nicht besser. Laut dem UN Umweltprogramm (UNEP) ist die Modeindustrie für ca. 8-10% der globalen CO2-Emissionen verantwortlich. Das Färben von Textilien ist der zweitgrößte Verursacher von verseuchten Wasserreserven. Außerdem wird der Anteil des verursachten Mikroplastik in Meeren durch Textilien auf rund 9% geschätzt. Zusätzlich wird die Herstellung von Fast Fashion von fossilen und nicht erneuerbaren Energien betrieben.

Wir müssen uns diesen unangenehmen Fragen stellen. Wie viele natürliche Ressourcen werden versucht, um unsere Kleidung zu produzieren? Wie viele Treibhausgase werden in die Luft freigesetzt für ein T-Shirt? Und wie viel Land wird von der Fashion-Industrie verbraucht, um die Baumwolle für die Wegwerf-Mode-Kultur zu produzieren?

Die wahren Kosten eines Baumwoll-Shirts – Was hat unsere Studie über Fast Fashion herausgefunden?

Gut, endlich haben wir ein paar Antworten! Die Grünen/EFA Fraktion im Europäischen Parlament hat eine Studie in Auftrag gegeben, um die wahren sozialen und umweltbezogenen Kosten der Fashion Industrie zu ermitteln. Wir haben soziale- und Umweltkosten eines Baumwoll-Shirts das in der EU produziert wurde mit einem T-Shirt verglichen, das außerhalb der EU hergestellt wurde.

Hier ist, was wir herausgefunden haben:

Die wahren Kosten eines Baumwoll-Shirts, das in Indien und Bangladesch produziert wurde, liegen bei 18.27€ in 2019. Diese Kosten stammen vor allem von Zwangsarbeit, Kinderarbeit, Biodiversitätsverlust durch Landnutzung und dem Grundwasserverbrauch.

Die wahren Kosten eines Baumwoll-Shirts, das in Griechenland und Italien produziert wurde, liegt bei nur 5.58€ in 2019. Der Haupttreiber für die Kosten ist der hohe Grundwasserverbrauch, um europäische Baumwolle bearbeiten zu können.

The external costs of cotton t-shirt production per value chain

Source: Reducing the true cost of cotton T-Shirts study – commissioned by the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament.

Fast Fashion wird noch große Nachwirkungen haben. Jedes einzelne Kleidungsstück, das für die schnelllebige Modewelt produziert wurde, existiert noch immer irgendwo auf diesem Planeten in der ein oder anderen Form. Nur 1% unserer gebrauchten Kleidung wird zu neuen Kleidungsstücken recycled. Moderne Stoffe – wie Polyester, das aus Plastik besteht – sind fast unmöglich zu recyclen. Gemischte Stoffe können überhaupt nicht recycled werden. Das macht es besonders hart für Fair Fashion-Marken mit den Fast Fashion-Styles mitzuhalten. Nur ein Grund mehr, unserer Wegwerfkultur ein Ende zu setzen.

Was können wir tun, um Fast Fashion aus der Mode zu bringen?

Immer mehr und mehr Menschen wählen Slow Fashion und Kleidung aus zweiter Hand. Fair Fashion-Marken entwickeln langsamere Mode Konzepte basierend auf nachhaltigen und fairen Praktiken. Geschäfte für Secondhand-Kleidung sind im Kommen. Die Dinge entwickeln sich in die richtige Richtung. Aber die Bürde, Fast Fashion hinter uns zu lassen, sollte nicht nur den Konsumierenden aufgeladen werden.

Fast Fashion zu kaufen ist nicht immer eine Wahl. Bezahlbare Mode ist notwendig für Menschen mit geringen finanziellen Ressourcen. Die Nachfrage nach Fast Fashion wird nicht verschwinden, bis wir die Ungleichheit in unserer Gesellschaft als Ganzes besiegt haben. Eine Veränderung in der Modeindustrie kann nicht nur von Seiten der Konsument*innen ausgehen.

Wir brauchen strengere Gesetze, um die Bekleidungsindustrie davon abzuhalten, auf Kosten der Umwelt und von Arbeitsrechten zu produzieren. Wir brauchen sichere und nachhaltige Jobs in einer grünen Wirtschaft, damit der Bedarf nach Fast Fashion verschwindet. Die Antwort – für einen gesunden Planeten und die Sicherheit von Menschen – ist eine Veränderung in der Art der Produktion, der Nutzung und des Recyclings aller unserer Güter. Wir brauchen eine faire Kreislaufwirtschaft!

Today, the @EU_Commission presented its Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles – a long overdue step given the negative environmental and social impact of the sector. Here is a first assessment of the announced initiatives. [1/7] pic.twitter.com/AYRAvhrEaw

— Anna Cavazzini (@anna_cavazzini) March 30, 2022

Aber was heißt Kreislaufwirtschaft?

Traditionelle Lebenszyklen von Produkten, die wir produzieren, verlaufen linear. Wir produzieren etwas. Wir benutzen es. Wir schmeißen es weg. Das gilt auch für unsere Kleidung und ist einer der Gründe, warum jede einzelne Sekunde das Equivalent von einem Müll-LKW gefüllt mit Kleidungsstücken verbrannt wird oder auf der Mülldeponie landet.

Ein lineares Produkt verbraucht während seiner sehr kurzen Lebensdauer viele natürliche Ressourcen und erzeugt schädlichen Müll. Nicht zu vergessen, dass die Herstellung dieses Produkts für unnötige Treibhausgase sorgt. Dieses Produktionsmodell ist einfach nicht nachhaltig.

Ein zirkuläres Produkt wird aus recycelten oder nachhaltigen Materialien hergestellt. Es ist so entworfen, dass es wiederverwendet und unkompliziert repariert werden kann. Am Ende seines Lebens wird es entweder recycelt oder sicher entsorgt, so dass es nicht schädlich für die Umwelt ist. Die Fertigung, die Nutzung und die Entsorgung werden zu einem Kreis.

Wir müssen ganzheitlich darüber nachdenken, wie gewisse Produktionsgänge miteinander verknüpft werden können. Zum Beispiel wie alte Autoreifen als neue Federmäppchen dienen können. Aber eine Kreislaufwirtschaft könnte auch ein Gewinn für Unternehmen und Konsument*innen sein: Wenn Müll verwendet werden kann, um neue Produkte herzustellen und gekaufte Kleidung länger verwendbar ist, können wir alle Geld sparen – und die Umwelt schützen.

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Die Grünen/EFA-Europaabgeordnete und Vizepräsidentin Alice Bah Kuhnke über Fast Fashion, die Textilindustrie und wie wir bewusster konsumieren können.

Eine Kreislaufwirtschaft – können wir uns eine Welt ohne Fast Fashion vorstellen?

Die Art, wie wir unsere Kleidung herstellen, ist nicht nachhaltig und die Umstellung hat bereits begonnen. Die Europäische Kommission hat eine EU-Strategie für nachhaltige Kleidung vorgeschlagen. Diese Strategie zielt darauf ab, der EU zu einer klimaneutralen Kreislaufwirtschaft zu verhelfen. Produkte müssen somit für längerfristige Nutzung designed werden. Sie müssen wiederverwendbar, reparierbar und recycelbar sein und die Produktion muss energieeffizient sein.

Die neue EU Textil-Strategie soll den Modemarkt wettbewerbsfähiger gestalten. Endlich wurde versprochen, dass nachhaltige Prinzipien innerhalb der europäischen Modeindustrie ein Kernelement der Produktion, des Konsum und des Müllmanagements werden.

Natürlich ist diese EU-Strategie nur ein erster Schritt.

Weil Frauen die Mehrheit der Arbeitskraft ausmachen, brauchen wir einen gendergerechten Ansatz, um sichere Arbeitsbedingungen und faire Löhne zu garantieren. Wir dürfen also soziale Probleme wie Ungleichheit und Diskriminierung nicht ingorieren. Wir brauchen zudem strengere Regeln, nicht nur aus einer Umwelt- und Klima Perspektive, sondern auch aus einer sozialen Perspektive, um den Teufelskreis der Fast Fashion zu durchbrechen.

Wir haben seit Jahren eine nachhaltigere Mode-Industrie gefordert. Lies weiter, um zu erfahren, was die Grünen/EFA Fraktion von einer Fashion-Revolution fordern.

Lass uns den Kreis schließen – wir müssen die Kreislaufwirtschaft zum Standard machen

Die EU muss mit starkem Beispiel vorangehen, wenn es um den weltweiten Schutz von Umwelt und Menschenrechten geht. Fast Fashion zu beenden muss eine Priorität sein. Die Europäische Kommission muss die Kreislaufwirtschaft für Mensch und Planet mehr fördern.

Sei Teil der Kreislaufwirtschaft und hilf uns, sie zum Regelfall zu machen!

Wir, die Greens/EFA Fraktion, kämpfen für eine nachhaltige Modeindustrie.

This month, we witnessed a defining moment for equality in Europe. For the first time ever, there is a draft EU law to combat gender-based violence (GBV).

We’ve been campaigning for a Europe-wide law against gender-based violence for years, side by side with NGOs and civil society. We are determined to make this moment in feminist history one to remember. A moment which leaves no one behind.

The proposal for the new law – only the first draft of the Gender-based Violence Directive – is finally here. Here’s what you should know about it.

Why do we need an EU law against gender-based violence – and how will it affect you?

Once adopted, the law will mean all EU governments will be legally required to pass national laws to fight against gender-based violence in their countries. Right now every EU country has a different approach to gender-based violence. Because of this, some people are safer in some countries than others.

This legislation sets out a basic common approach. It will mean that no matter where you are in the EU, any nonconsensual sex will be classified as rape. The law considers female genital mutilation (FGM), cyberstalking, cyber harassment and image-based sexual abuse as a crime.

The law is urgently needed. It will impact all of us. Gender-based violence affects 1 in 3 Europeans. If not you, then someone you know. And the COVID pandemic has only made this worse. Physical, psychological and sexual violence has increased across Europe. The situation is so serious that the United Nations has called it a “shadow pandemic”.

Keep reading to find out how a law against gender-based violence can protect your human rights.

Only yes means yes – the gender-based violence directive will make consent the law

via GIPHY

Actress Laverne Cox saying “if someone doesn’t want to have sex with you, don’t have sex with them”

Whether you are with a Tinder date, on a night out at a club or cosying up on the couch with your long-term partner – your boundaries and what you are comfortable with must always come first. The only true consent is an enthusiastic yes!

The draft law finally criminalises rape across Europe on the basis of lack of consent. Only yes will mean yes. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. This is a huge step towards a feminist Europe!

Female genital mutilation is a crime – and will be in every EU country

It’s estimated that at least 190,000 people are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM) in Europe alone. And 600,000 people in Europe are already living with the consequences of FGM.

The draft gender-based violence law aims to criminalise female genital mutilation (FGM) across all EU countries.

via GIPHY

A scoreboard which ticks up to reveal the score Feminism 1, Patriarchy 0

Stop cyberviolence – women and LGBTQI+ people have a right to be safe online

Other examples of violence on the list to be criminalised across the EU by the new gender-based violence law are:

• Cyberstalking – using the internet and other digital means (like social media, email, instant messaging apps) to stalk another person online
• Cyber harassment – using the internet to harass another person, including sending threatening or harassing email/instant messages or using blogs or websites to torment someone
• Image-based sexual abuse – or spreading explicit photos or videos of another person without their consent to cause them distress (often committed by an ex-partner as a means of “revenge”)

However, the way we criminalise cyberviolence in the current draft completely lacks a gender perspective. This is one area where we need to improve the law. We must do more to eradicate gender-based violence in the digital sphere!

via GIPHY

A woman moves to sit in front of a computer, with text that reads To the computer!

A gender-based violence law made for you – why it must be intersectional

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to gender-based violence. We all experience GBV differently – based on factors like class, race, ability, age, religion, gender expression, gender identity and sex characteristics (along with many other things). These factors overlap, making everyone’s oppression and risk of violence unique.

Migrant women, women of colour, trans women, indigenous people, people with disabilities as well as non-binary and gender diverse folks are particularly vulnerable to violence.

This is because of systematic oppression in our societies, rooted in privilege and power.

The directive against gender-based violence can support, protect and strengthen victims’ rights with a human rights, victim-centred and intersectional approach.

We are delighted to see that the draft law includes provisions on intersectionality, which considers the diversity and specific needs of more vulnerable groups of people.

We fought tirelessly for an intersectional perspective during the build up to the release of the draft law – and we see the draft as a great start!

via GIPHY

Text on a bright pink background reads if you’re not intersectional, you can’t sit with us.

Although, there’s some more work to do here too – keep reading to see what’s missing.

Gender-based violence – let’s talk about prevention, protection and reparation

We have to tackle the problem at the root. The new gender-based violence law should give us all the tools to stop GBV from happening in the first place.

Let’s start with prevention. Education and awareness-raising campaigns are central to preventing gender-based violence. Can you imagine if someone would have taught us to recognise gender-based violence at school or youth clubs? We need to empower young people to spot acts of violence – and know how to address them.

We also need better support services for women and gender diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence. (For example – just one concrete thing that would make a world of difference is to provide access to information in all relevant languages.) Reparation for victims and/or survivors is non-negotiable.

The draft law to combat gender-based violence is not perfect on this. But we see a solid set of measures on prevention, protection and support of victims and survivors. We’re on the right track!

via GIPHY

Woman with purple hair saying Don’t stop, keep going.

What’s missing from the EU’s gender-based violence law – why our fight for a feminist Europe is not over yet

Feminist, queer, Black, indigenous, PoC and disabled activists have been loud and clear: EU policies do not adequately protect the rights of gender diverse people.

Gender-based violence must to be understood as violence against women and girls in all their diversity and LGBTIQ+ people on the grounds of gender, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Why? Because GBV doesn’t only affect cisgender women, but anyone who doesn’t conform to outdated gender norms. That is why trans women, trans feminine and non-binary people, face drastic amounts of violence. Their experiences must not and shall not be erased.

The EU has the opportunity to make sure gender diverse people are specifically protected from gender-based violence – but right now these protections are missing from the proposed law.

We’ll keep fighting to make sure we leave no one behind in our fight for everyone’s sexual freedom and safety.

via GIPHY

A hand waves a rainbow pride and trans pride flag back and forth

What next? The road to a feminist Europe is paved with… political action!

via GIPHY

The iconic end scene from Thelma & Louise (1991), with two main characters driving off while holding hands

The European Parliament now has a chance to improve the draft Gender-based Violence Directive. Our Greens/EFA MEPs will be working hard to make sure the law is as inclusive and ambitious as possible.

We will keep advocating to have a coherent approach to gender-based violence, including in the domestic and digital spheres, and make sure that the context of structural gender discrimination informs all measures to prevent and combat GBV!

We’ll also carry on our campaign to add all forms of gender-based violence to the list of EU crimes.

What we now need is political will from other MEPs in the European Parliament.

It’s time for a feminist Europe!

Want to follow what happens next?
👉 Visit our campaign page to stay tuned! 👈

How do your new socks get holes two weeks after you buy them? Do you hesitate to wear your favourite skinny jeans because they’re “out of fashion” again? Or have you ever wondered how a t-shirt can only cost 1€ in the summer sale?

This is fast fashion – and it’s a growing problem for people and the planet. We believe that it is time for a fashion revolution!

Fast fashion exploits cheap labour and our natural resources.  Read here how the European Commission plans to fix this with the EU textile strategy, what we can improve about the proposal and what we can do to make the fashion industry part of the circular economy.

The ultra-fast fashion world – it’s time for a fashion revolution

New in for autumn! Shop our Spring-Summer collection now. New year, new wardrobe, new you! Blink – and you’ll miss them. The speed with which fast fashion brands produce, sell and throw away clothes is truly breathtaking. Fashion Weeks in London, Paris, New York and Milan boast a new range of designs every year. These events fuel the demand for our clothing to be “bang on trend” season after season. Textiles are being designed, produced and sold faster than ever before.

The scale of this fashion frenzy shook the world 10 years ago in 2013, with the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh. Over a thousand garment workers, the majority women, died in the biggest garment factory disaster in history. We still feel the effects of the Rana Plaza tragedy nearly a decade later. The factory produced clothing for the likes of Prada, Gucci and Versace – some of the most famous fast fashion brands. Yet the workers were earning less than 100$ a month.

As a reaction to Rana Plaza, a movement for a fashion revolution has sprung up in more than 100 countries all over the world. Among their demands is greater transparency and responsibility of fashion companies for their workers and the environment. During the month of April, they remember the victims of the collapse of Rana Plaza and ask fast fashion brands: “who made my clothes?”.

MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke at this year’s Elle Gala Sweden, in a dress made out of ripped old jeans:

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A post shared by Alice Bah Kuhnke (@alicebahkuhnke)

The problems with fast fashion – how do we make our clothes?

Of course, knowing who makes our clothes is just the tip of the iceberg. With the climate crisis knocking at our door, we also need to know how our clothes are made.  The fast fashion industry is infamous for violating human rights and environmental standards – you don’t have to have been alive in the 90’s to know about the Nike sweatshop scandal.

Workers in the fast fashion industry are exposed to toxic chemicals used for cotton cultivation. Fast fashion uses toxic substances for dyeing and printing fabric with devastating consequences for the worker’s health.

And the planet doesn’t fare any better. According to the UN’s Environment Programme (UNEP), the fashion industry is responsible for around 8-10% of the world’s carbon emissions. Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of the global water supply. Scientists estimate that textiles contribute to around 9% of the microplastics lost to our oceans. What’s more, fast fashion is powered by fossil fuels – and not by renewables.

We’ve got to start asking some tough questions. How many natural resources does it take to make our clothes? How many greenhouse gases does a new t-shirt produce? And how much land do wegrow the cotton that feeds our throwaway fashion culture?

The true cost of a cotton T-Shirt – what did our study on fast fashion find?

The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament commissioned a study to find out about the true social and environmental costs of the fashion industry. We compared the social and environmental costs of a cotton t-shirt produced outside of the EU with a similar shirt produced inside the EU.

Here’s what we found.

The true cost of a cotton t-shirt produced in India and Bangladesh was €18.27 in 2019. This cost was mainly driven by forced labour (46%), child labour (11%), biodiversity loss from land use (13%) and scarce water use (12%).

The true cost of a cotton t-shirt produced in Greece and Italy was only €5.58 in 2019. The main factor of this cost was the large consumption of scarce water for cultivating European cotton.

The external costs of cotton t-shirt production per value chain

Source: Reducing the true cost of cotton T-Shirts study – commissioned by the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament.

Fast fashion will leave a long legacy. Every single item of clothing produced for the fast fashion industry is still on our planet in some shape or form. Only 1% of our clothing worldwide is recycled into new clothing. Modern fabrics – like polyester made out of plastic – are almost impossible to recycle. Still today we cannot recycle mixed fibres at all. This makes it hard for fair fashion brands to keep up with fast fashion styles. All the more reason to end our throwaway culture.

What can we do to make fast fashion go out of fashion?

More and more people are choosing slow fashion and preloved clothes. Fair fashion brands are developing slower fashion models, based on sustainable and fair practices. Marketplaces for second hand clothes are on the rise. Things are starting to shift in the right direction. But the burden to leave fast fashion behind should not just be on consumers.

Buying fast fashion is not always a matter of choice. Fashion at affordable prices is essential for people with fewer financial resources. The demand for fast fashion will not vanish until we are able to tackle the inequality in our society as a whole. A shift in the fast fashion industry cannot come from consumers alone.

We need strong laws to stop the garment industry from producing at the cost of the environment and workers’ rights. We need safe and sustainable jobs in a green economy to ensure that the need for fast fashion disappears. The answer – for a healthy planet and for people’s safety – is a shift in the way we produce, use and recycle all our goods. We need a fair and circular economy!

Today, the @EU_Commission presented its Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles – a long overdue step given the negative environmental and social impact of the sector. Here is a first assessment of the announced initiatives. [1/7] pic.twitter.com/AYRAvhrEaw

— Anna Cavazzini (@anna_cavazzini) March 30, 2022

But what does circular fashion mean?

Traditional life cycles for products that we make are linear. We produce something, we use it, we throw it away. This also goes for our clothes, and it’s one of the reasons why we burn or landfill the equivalent of one rubbish truck’s worth of clothing every single second.

A linear product uses up resources and creates harmful waste during its very short lifespan. Not to mention, the production of this item emits unnecessary greenhouse gases. This model of production is simply unsustainable.

A circular product is created from recycled or sustainable materials. It’s built to be reused and easily repaired. And at the end of its life, we know how it will be recycled or safely disposed of so that it doesn’t cause harm to our environment. The line of production, use and waste becomes a circle.

It requires a bit of joined-up thinking about how we can intertwine certain production lines. Like using old car tyres to make pencil cases. But a circular economy could mean a win for both companies and consumers. If we can use waste to create shiny, new products and shoppers can wear their clothes for longer, we can all save money – and the planet – in the long run.

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The Greens/EFA MEP and Vice-President Alice Bah Kuhnke about fast fashion, the textile industry and how we can consume more consciously.

A circular economy – can we imagine a world without fast fashion?

The way we make our clothes is unsustainable, and change has already begun. The European Commission has proposed an EU strategy for sustainable textiles. It aims to help the EU shift to a climate-neutral circular economy. We need to design products to last longer. They’ll need to be reusable, repairable and recyclable. And use less energy in their production.

The new textile strategy should make the fashion market more competitive. Finally, the European Commission promised that sustainable principles will be at the core of the production, consumption and waste management within Europe’s fashion industry. We, the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, have been working hard on our position towards the proposal these past months and will soon vote for it in plenary. 

As Greens we asked the European Commission to find tools to fight unfair trade practices to make sure that textile workers worldwide work under fair working conditions. We also demand the protection of consumers from greenwashing fast fashion and from harmful chemicals in their garments. To end the wasteful line of production of the fast fashion industry, we demand clear recycling targets for the whole fashion sector. Luckily we have the EU supply chain law and the import ban on products from forced labor to support us in creating more transparency for consumers and in securing workers’ rights everywhere!

Let’s close the loop – we need to make circular economy the law

The EU needs to set a strong example in the global protection of the environment and of human rights. Ending fast fashion must be a priority. The European Commission must do more to promote a circular economy for people and the planet.  We, the Greens, ask the commission to improve their proposal to ensure the protection of consumers, workers and the planet.

Let’s act now – be part of the circular economy and help us make it the law!

We the Greens/EFA fight for the fashion industry to be a sustainable industry. Sign up below and stay up to date on our fight for a fashion revolution!