Luisa Neubauer, one of Germany’s most prominent climate activists, will speak at the George Washington University on October 3rd at an event titled “How to Build (and Sustain) a Movement.” Neubauer, co-founder of the German Fridays for Future movement, has been a central figure in global climate advocacy since 2018. She has worked with many other influential activists, including Greta Thunberg, to mobilize millions of young people to demand action on the climate crisis across the globe.
Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1996, Neubauer has been committed to climate justice from a young age. She studied geography at the University of Göttingen and began her activism working with various NGOs, including 350.org and the Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations, but it was her work with Fridays for Future that brought her international recognition. As the movement succeeded in organizing mass protests, Nuebauer was able to draw attention to the failure of global leaders to meet climate goals.
In 2021, Neubauer and fellow activists made history by playing a key role in winning a landmark case against the German government. The country’s constitutional court ruled that the government’s climate law did not go far enough to protect future generations. This ruling forced officials to strengthen policies relating to the environment and climate. The victory solidified Neubauer’s reputation as a powerful advocate for climate justice. Since then, she has continued to challenge political leaders, most recently filing a new lawsuit against the current German administration for failing to meet its climate commitments.
Neubauer is also an accomplished author, having written three best-selling books on climate action, including Beginning to End the Climate Crisis, which was published in English in 2023. Her public speaking appearances and TED talks have inspired millions of young people to join the fight for climate justice.
Neubauer also hosts a popular Spotify podcast, 1,5 Grad (1.5 Degrees), the name alluding to the 1.5 degree Celsius global average surface warming target. Through her work, Neubauer has become a symbol of youth-led climate activism and remains committed to pushing for systemic change at every level.
The event, taking place on October 3rd, is sponsored by the Heinrich Böll Foundation North America, GW’s Alliance for a Sustainable Future, GW Law’s Environmental and Energy Law Program, and the Elliott School’s Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, a political foundation affiliated with Germany’s Green Party, works to advance democracy, human rights, and environmental protection, with a focus on fostering dialogue on green policies across the Atlantic.
To learn more about the event and to register: https://sustainabilityalliance.gwu.edu/how-build-and-sustain-movement