Polish farmer protest movement reveals far-right connections

A new Polish farmers' group with far-right ties has gained political attention after protesting against EU climate policies and Ukrainian food imports.

Marta Kasztelan, Clare Carlile, and Phoebe Cooke report for DeSmog.

In short:

Orka, a recently formed farmers' group, suspended a hunger strike after securing talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
The group has ties to the far-right Confederation Party, raising concerns about its political motivations.
Protests have emerged across Poland against EU environmental regulations, with Orka aiming to discard the EU's Green Deal.

Key quote:

“It’s very difficult to fight this kind of misinformation.”

— Krzysztof Cibor, head of campaigns, Greenpeace Poland

Why this matters:

The rise of Orka reflects how populist and far-right parties can leverage local discontent to challenge EU policies, potentially destabilizing political landscapes and undermining efforts to combat climate change.

For more about the rise of the far-right in Europe:

www.desmog.com

Polish farmer protest movement reveals far-right connections

Climate Reality group in North Carolina to fight PFAS and more

Trump administration to scrap rule encouraging conservation

Could an El Niño this year match an 1877 event that killed millions?

Some climate shocks can increase the likelihood of war

EPA plan would let work start on data centers, power plants before air permits

Indigenous Amazon groups urge UN action on organized crime in rainforest territories

For California farmers, a clean-energy dilemma

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.