Polish Activists Block Wisłostrada: Demand Climate Action

The news in Polish

1. zablokować
   uniemożliwić przejazd lub działanie czegoś poprzez blokadę ↩︎
2. uwaga (f.)
   koncentracja na czymś; skupianie się ↩︎
3. problem (m.)
   trudność lub wyzwanie wymagające rozwiązania ↩︎
4. spotkanie (n.)
   sytuacja, gdy dwie lub więcej osób się spotyka ↩︎
5. działanie (n.)
   czynność mająca na celu osiągnięcie jakiegoś celu ↩︎
6. kontrowersyjny
   powodujący różne opinie, budzący spory ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: Who blocked the street in Warsaw?

Question: What do the activists want instead of new roads?

Vocabulary

Polish	English

Read the full story

The activists have expressed a desire for a meeting with Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, scheduled for December 11, to address their concerns about the government’s policies, which they claim exacerbate the climate crisis. According to Tymoteusz Baranowski, a representative of the group, an over-reliance on road infrastructures, such as highways, detracts from vital investments in public transport, leading to the phenomenon of transport exclusion—where about 20 percent of Poles lack access to efficient public transit systems.

As the demonstration unfolded, protestors strategically positioned themselves on Czerniakowska Street, just before the intersection with Bartycka. In spite of criticism from some Warsaw residents about the disruptive nature of their protests, activists argue that such tactics are necessary to draw attention to the environmental cause. Some demonstrators assert that traditional methods of protest have failed to yield results, pointing out that officials often use such events merely as photo opportunities.

The protests have not been without controversy. During the latest blockade, a notable incident involved Marianna Schreiber, who was caught in traffic and expressed her frustration vocally, describing the activists as ‘terrorists.’ The incident underscores the tensions between activists and the public, as well as divergent opinions on how climate advocacy should be conducted.

The government, represented by Minister of the Interior Tomasz Siemoniak, has reacted strongly, describing such blockades as illegal actions that pose risks for both the participants and road users. The authorities have consequently reiterated their commitment to responding firmly to these acts.

Despite the contention, the core of Ostatnie Pokolenie’s demands remain clear: a call for critical changes in Poland’s transport policies, including redirecting funds from highway construction to public transport enhancement, and implementing a monthly regional transport ticket priced at 50 złotys. The group maintains that these changes are crucial for mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis, which pose a significant threat to public well-being.

Info: “Polish Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Polish,” a language school dedicated to providing high-quality Polish instruction. We offer a variety of online courses designed to help you learn Polish effectively, catering to different learning needs and levels.