Society's Child
"Last year you didn't hear anything about nitrogen, and now suddenly it's a mortal question," farmer Micha Bouwer of the Farmers Defence Force told state broadcaster NOS. "These are all people in the city who have two plants on their balcony and say 'nature is suffering'."
While livestock farming is among the chief causes of nitrogen pollution, the farmers say they are being disproportionately blamed for climate change, and that their crucial role in food production is being overlooked.
The protest campaign follows Dutch court rulings that the government has an obligation to cut greenhouse emissions more significantly "in order to protect the life and family life of citizens" in the country.
Dutch politicians are reportedly considering imposing new restrictions on food production and farming in an effort to drastically cut nitrogen output, in opposition to concern from farmers and farming groups.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned the protesters on Wednesday that they are entitled to demonstrate but "must follow the rules of the authorities."
"If you don't do that, you are in violation and the criminal law applies."
Reader Comments
Mothers who starve their children....
"Mrs Thatcher could not have promoted the global warming issue without the support of her UK political party. And they were willing to give it. Following the General Election of 1979, most of the incoming Cabinet had been members of the government which lost office in 1974. They blamed the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for their 1974 defeat. They, therefore, desired an excuse for reducing the UK coal industry and, thus, the NUM’s power. Coal-fired power stations emit CO2 but nuclear power stations don’t. Global warming provided an excuse for reducing the UK’s dependence on coal by replacing it with nuclear power."
1980's. Margaret Thatcher Spouts Junk About 'Global Warming'....[Link]
2019. Socialist With Amnesia Jeremy Corbyn Speaks on 'Climate Crisis'.....[Link]
Comment: Rutte should be worried: the Yellow Vest rebellion was preceded by widespread farmers' protests in France:
Winter of Discontent in France: Protests, Endless Dark Skies, And Crazy New Laws