Elisabeth Stern: Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland
Elisabeth Stern is a cultural anthropologist, a peace and environmental activist, and a board member of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, an association that won a landmark judgment in the European Court of Human Rights against the Swiss government for its adequate climate policy.
About The Episode
In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Elisabeth Stern, a cultural anthropologist, a peace and environmental activist, and a board member of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, recounts how the group prevailed through an eight-year legal battle to ultimately secure a landmark judgement against its own government for its inadequate climate policy.
A passionate advocate for climate protection as a human right, Elisabeth emphasizes the leverage the financial sector has in addressing climate change by not funding fossil fuel related projects, while also sharing her vision of hope for the future.
How did a group of Senior Swiss Women persevere through an eight-year legal battle and ultimately secure a historic victory against their own government? TUNE IN to this conversation & find out.
Biography
Elisabeth Stern is a Board Member of KlimaSeniorinnen Switzerland, an association founded in 2016 that took the Swiss Government to court for its inadequate climate policy. They won their case at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in April 2024, a case that has been called “historic”.
Elisabeth has been active in the environmental movement for 35 years, after becoming acutely aware of the climate crisis during an extended stay in Zimbabwe as a cultural anthropologist. While living in California, she was a member of the peace and environment movement. Back in Switzerland, she became involved in green start-up companies.
She is a retired Senior Lecturer from the University of Zurich and the University of St. Gall having taught a range of topics on Sustainable Development as well as Intercultural Competence.
Episode Transcript
Show Notes
Takeaways:
- The Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland was formed to advocate for climate justice.
- Senior women are disproportionately affected by climate change.
- The recent court ruling establishes climate protection as a human right.
- The financial sector must take responsibility for its environmental impact.
- Hope and vision are essential for future activism.
Personal Links:
- Elisabeth Stern at TedX Zurich: https://youtu.be/vQyRaqyYgLI?si=2afSS44vgYbOxRmy
Organization & Social Media Links:
- KlimaSeniorinnen: https://en.klimaseniorinnen.ch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070295648922#
