Racing world reacts to climate change activists protesting at all-electric race

A group of protestors temporarily halted the start of the Berlin ePrix. A German group named “Letzte Generation,” translated to “Last Generation” claimed responsibility on Twitter, calling on the German government to “sound the alarm” against climate change.

As cars pulled into their grid positions for the start, the protestors hopped the fence to sit on the track. Some sat in front of cars while others glued themselves to the support vehicles. They were taken in by security and the race started minutes later.

If this sounds confusing, you’re not the only one. A group of climate change activists protesting a race where the cars have all-electric drivetrains that regenerate its power under braking. Formula E might not be perfect, but it’s one of the more environmentally friendly racing series in the world, so it didn’t add up.

Many pointed this out when they read the news on social media.

Quite flattering that Formula E is big enough to get disrupted by protestors

— Adi (@2Adi_P) April 23, 2023

 

I support people’s right to protest. And I agree that things are getting worse and we need to stop climate change. It’s just that, if you’re going to protest climate change at a race where the series already has that in mind, then even people who agree with the overall point are going to laugh at you. Even if you had good reasons to protest the race.

Not to mention, running out on a racetrack with cars on the track can be potentially fatal not just for you, but for the race car drivers. There’s being disruptive in order to get people to notice your platform, and there’s potentially injuring or killing people when trying to make that point.

[@slagcaren]