Climate protection adventure: How a family reaches its limits!

Climate protection adventure: How a family reaches its limits!

In times when climate change is turning not only nature but also family life upside down, many of us could use a dose of inspiration from the Wilmers family. The latest feature film, directed by Tomy Wigand, is about 17-year-old high school student Lilly, who doesn't have it easy. She is fighting for her Abitur admission and seems to be slipping into a crisis because her father Martin cannot give the desired boost of motivation with a dream trip. Her mother Nina then suggests a revolutionary solution: the family wants to actively contribute to climate protection and fundamentally change their way of life. But this could not only be a challenge for Lilly.

From now on, only fresh food will be served in Wilmers' kitchen, industrial washing powder will be replaced with lavender and the parents will cycle to work. A nice plan, but it has its drawbacks. The road to an emissions-free life turns out to be rockier, and the whole family struggles to consistently comply with the new rules. Lilly in particular has difficulty sticking to her parents' agreements, which leads to an escalation in discussions and ultimately a family crisis. It turns out that climate change is not just an environmental problem, but also has a deep impact on the social fabric.

Climate change and its effects on families

But the challenges experienced by the Wilmers family are not unique. According to the Federal Forum for Families, climate change is a central issue that affects all families. Future generations in particular are the main victims of this crisis. While wealthy families can often deal with the leftovers of climate action, financially disadvantaged families are far more likely to face the immediate consequences without making a significant contribution to climate change. This social injustice requires a rethinking of how we deal with climate change and the political framework that influences the lives and survival of families.

Families are not only victims of the crisis, they can also act as role models and take responsibility for a fairer approach to climate change. This role could be crucial to not only address the challenges of climate change, but also to bring social justice to the forefront. The discussion about how families can actively contribute to social justice in climate policy is enormously important today. On October 17, 2023, this topic was even chosen as a new focus for the years 2024/2025 at the network meeting of the Federal Family Forum. This clearly addresses the climate policy responsibility of families.

Children and the climate crisis

But how exactly does climate change affect the younger generation? UNICEF states that the global climate crisis threatens the lives and future of all children. Many children do not have enough access to clean water, go to bed hungry and are often unable to learn. They are also less able to survive extreme weather events compared to adults. Almost half of all children worldwide are at high risk from the effects of climate change. The issues of water and sanitation, health, nutrition and education are inadequately supplied and socially protected in many regions. This makes it clear that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also a child rights issue.

The Wilmers family is not alone in the fight against the challenges of climate change. With their step to actively advocate for climate protection, they show that family life and the climate crisis are closely linked. How to achieve the balancing act between individual needs and an environmentally conscious lifestyle will continue to be an issue that affects us all as we face the daily fight against climate change.

For more information about the challenges families are experiencing due to climate change, check out reports from rbb, Federal Family Forum and UNICEF.