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The climate activist won a severance package. “I'm still unemployed”

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As climatologist Dr. Gianluca Grimalda reported on his profile on X on January 10 concluded an agreement with the Institute for the World Economy (IfW) in Colognei.e. his former employer. Under the agreement, he received severance pay, the amount of which he did not disclose. Both parties accepted the settlement presented at the regional labor court in Cologne.

Sadness and happiness after the settlement

I am sad and happy at the same time” – commented Dr. Grimald's settlement in a statement to the press. He is saddened by the loss of his job “which he loved”, but he is glad that, in his opinion, the judge found it possible to dismiss an employee for refusing to use the plane.

He added that he hoped his case would inspire other workers, institutions and companies to actively support the transition away from “economies based on fossil fuels.” Pursuant to the settlement, the employment relationship with the activist was terminated due to irreconcilable ideological beliefs between the parties.

As we read in Dr. Grimald's statement has been traveling sustainably for over 10 years. To overcome 28 thousand km from Papua New Guinea to Europe without the use of an airplane, it would use ten times less fossil fuels than if it had chosen the air route.

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The climatologist began his return journey to Europe in mid-October 2023. He traveled through 16 countries, traveling by ship, train, bus, car, car and truck. It took him a total of 72 days. Previously, his former employer gave him 3 days to return from Asia.

Due to the secrecy clause, it is not known how much the activist's severance pay was. However, Dr. Grimalda himself informed that part of it, in the amount of PLN 75,000. eurowill be allocated to “environmental and climate protection and climate activism”.

The January settlement is the culmination of the traveler's legal battle with the German institute, which lasted over a year.

Thousands of kilometers without a plane

Dr. Gianluca Grimalda worked for IfW, researching in Papua New Guinea impact of global warming and globalization on the communities living in this region of the world. He stayed there for half a year. Since the activist is fundamentally opposed to air travel – as the mode of transport that emits the most carbon dioxide – he got there by water and land.

He decided to return to Germany in the same way, but then he encountered serious problems. The activist was given an ultimatum: either he returns to Europe soon enough or he loses his job. To meet this condition, Dr. Grimalda would have to arrive by plane. When he refused and informed that he would return by land and sea, he was released.

Activist is looking for a job

Summarizing his legal battle on social media, the climate scientist wrote that he still had not found a new job:

I'm still unemployeddespite the fact that last year I published the most and received the most citations. I hope that in the future I will be able to find another scientific position,” we read on his profile on X.

Dr. Grimalda also announced that he will soon publish a book in which he describes his epic journey to Europe. In addition, he is a climatologist plans to go to Papua New Guinea againto complete their climate change research there. Travel is expected to be slow again, using only land and sea transport.

Source: “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”

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