WITH

Knowledge Comes Responsibility

Eva Lind Madsen was lying in bed one night, her mind was racing. She describes it as a mind trip. She was thinking about her future and the future of others, which felt like a black hole. A scary scenario of what the world will look like in 50 years.

“I am worried about the future. I really am. I think it’s because it’s so hard to comprehend what’s going to happen.” Eva says.

Eva is 19 years old and is a student at Haderslev Katedralskole. She is a climate activist and was one of the founders of the Green Youth Movement’s branch in Haderslev. Eva had two emotions when she helped start the branch in Southern Jutland: hope and anger. Hope to create a different society and anger at the lack of action from people higher up in the system.

“We started the division in Haderslev because we couldn’t help ourselves. Having this knowledge about the climate crisis, I feel a responsibility. There are people here who also have climate anxiety and an urge to act.”

The evening sun leans over the art gallery in the center of Haderslev, where the Green Youth Movement Haderslev is meeting once again. They’ve been at it for over a year now, and the meetings range from more active actions to community cultivation. In the large room with high ceilings in more than one sense, they have each brought a vegetarian dish and a board game. Spirits are high, laughter and hugs are exchanged.

“I think the community is important so that you don’t just sit around feeling sad. We all get a place to go with our thoughts, where we can turn these frustrations or anxiety thoughts into action, instead of just feeling that we can’t do anything. Because we can.” Eva says.

Hits from the 80s fill the room and they are all gathered around the table. Tonight, they are playing ‘The Bad Company’, which is about making the others laugh by filling in the blanks of sentences. A sentence that gets loud laughs is acknowledged with snapping fingers all around.

For Eva, it’s not always about large-scale actions or demonstrations. It is just as much about having a place where she can come and vent her feelings.

“I look forward to going down every Tuesday to gather with the others.” Eva says.