Green Order to bin or to be changed? We were at the Solidarity protest

Farmers, trade unionists from all over the country, as well as some PiS politicians, took part in a protest organized by Solidarity on Friday. The official slogan of the demonstration in Warsaw was “down with the Green Deal”. We talked to the participants about what prompted them to protest against the EU’s climate policy. Contrary to what the main slogan of the demonstration says, some people were in favor of change rather than the end of green policy.

Of the people we spoke to, several wanted to reject the Green Deal and the European Union in general. Others pointed out that climate policy can be implemented, but differently than before (or differently than, in their opinion, it is planned). The prospect of increasing energy costs and jobs in mining regions raises great concerns. Policies based on prohibitions or orders are unpopular.

Many statements show that people are receiving manipulated messages. There was information that electric cars did not work (although in reality, for example, their range was constantly improving); on the ban on flying abroad (although there is no such plan in the EU); about the obligation to renovate houses that have recently been renovated (although these are not the goals of the wave of building renovations).

It has often been pointed out that Europe has a minimal role in greenhouse gas emissions, with China being the main problem. Meanwhile, this picture is much more complicated, because Europe is “cleaner” now, but we have polluted a lot over the last two centuries. In turn, China actually has hundreds of coal-fired power plants, but it also has more than the rest of the world put together and is the leader in the number of electric cars sold. What else did the protesters say?

“I would still agree to 50 percent”

What’s wrong with the Green Deal? Bogumiła, a former mine employee in the supply department, is afraid of pressures and costs – Zero-emission buildings, prohibit cars and do not allow flying by plane. I mean, in a moment they won’t allow it, because we’re going to Oman this year, last year we were in Thailand. And as long as I have strength, I want to fly, she said.

The woman said that “there is information everywhere” about bans and restrictions related to the Green Deal. – Not a day goes by without hearing at least two such messages – she mentioned.

He also blames EU policy for increases in electricity and gas bills. To the comment that coal and gas are becoming more expensive for many reasons – the war in Ukraine, the economic situation – the woman said that “it’s all related to the Green Deal.” She is also afraid of thermal modernization related to EU regulations, although she says that her family renovated their house two years ago. – This is the second time we have insulated the house. And there was no subsidy, so our money went, she said, but admitted that this renovation “wasn’t part of the Green Deal yet.”

At the same time, she pointed out that it is important to “take care of the planet”. – Even at this 40 percent. or 50 percent [redukcji emisji – red.] then I would agree. But no more, not 90%, just like the deputy minister said when she went there – she said, referring to the statement (which Zielińska later corrected). – I know that we need to take care of the planet – she said, but added that Europe “is only 7% of emissions.” – For this 50 percent. I would agree to do something in this direction. But zero emissions is an exaggeration. This will cost us a lot. I think I can handle everything, but I could use the money for something else, she said.

“So that it doesn’t make our lives miserable”

Magdalena works in the office of one of the mining companies. – In Silesia, the introduction of the Green Deal is not only associated with heating problems, but also that our jobs are at risk. Everyone is worried about their jobs, she said. He does not believe in plans to replace jobs in mines with new ones, he is afraid of rising fees. – My husband runs a transport company and this affects him too. Taxes, fees and restrictions for employers are crushing, she said.

– We also do not want to have restrictions on certain things that have traditionally always been there. For example, heating. I’m not saying that heating with any coal stove is good. But instead of developing a more ecological way of burning this coal, we should not use it, she said. – And electric heating? Where will we get electricity, mainly in Poland from Bełchatów, and coal is also burned there. Heating from the network is a great thing because it provides clean air, but not everyone can afford to pay a lump sum every month, she added. Her friend noticed that she had photovoltaic panels at home, but the energy from them was “not enough”.

– I absolutely agree that we need to work for ecology. But why only Europe? So is the introduction of electric cars in Europe. How to dispose of it? Is it so good for the environment? I doubt it. And if everyone has an electric car, how will the power grids work and how much will we pay for electricity? How will we create it?

She agreed that authorities should better explain and communicate issues related to energy and climate policy. She didn’t say that she thought the Green Deal should be “thrown away.”

– There are many positive things about it. But the way it is introduced and many things around it need to be done so that it does not make our lives miserable. That everyone would want to do it voluntarily. It is known that everyone wants to breathe clean air.

It’s better not to talk about working in the mine

Dariusz works in one of the Silesian mines underground. How does he see his future in this job? – There are mining plans for now. But what will happen next, who knows? – he said. The man said he could imagine another job. Because the one underground is such that he doesn’t tell “even his family” everything about her.

But he has doubts about plans to support miners in retraining. – A special economic zone would have to be created – he believes. – And energy security should come first – he adds when asked about the role of coal.

Mateusz, a student of an IT technical school from the province. Świętokrzyskie, “does not tolerate the Green Deal” or “Poland’s presence in the European Union”. He mentioned the ban on the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035 as the main reason. Why? – Their range is much worse. The combustion engine can be quickly refueled and driven for a long time, while the electric ones are still underdeveloped, he said, adding that they will reach a sufficient level “in a hundred years.”

According to him, ecology means “separating waste” and using it. – If only Europe cares about clean air, and China, Asia and America don’t care, what’s the point? If such a Green Deal is for the whole world, not just small Europe, he said. The man does not believe in the actions of other countries for the climate and stated that in China “they recently opened three thousand coal mines, but in our country they forbid it.” (China currently has a total of over three thousand coal mines, so this number is true for all operating ones, not new ones – ed.).