Climate researchers invited as experts: Does the Berlin Regional Court recognize the climate emergency?

Am tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16.01th., the climate scientist and ocean researcher Dr. Stefan Rahmstorf (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, PIK) testified at the Berlin Regional Court as an expert in the proceedings against a supporter of the Last Generation.

This means that tomorrow's proceedings will be the first in the second instance nationwide to give space to the present climate crisis based on statements from relevant experts. 

The accused Last Generation supporter, a 31-year-old psychologist, took part in several Last Generation sit-ins in Berlin in June 2022 and was convicted in the first instance, after which the proceedings ended up in the regional court. 

What is unique so far in the proceedings against the Last Generation is that the chamber of the regional court here granted all of the defense's requests to summon experts and invited several experts on climate and protest issues. At a hearing on December 27th, Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Deputy Chairwoman of the Federal Government's Advisory Council on Climate Issues, as well as Dr. Simon Teune, sociologist and protest researcher.

The process begins on January 16.1th. at 9 a.m., Berlin Regional Court, Turmstraße 91, Hall C103 (will probably be moved to another hall in the old building of the Regional Court).