She is just 16 but happens to be one of the best-known climate change activists in the world. Greta Thunberg created headlines when she demonstrated outside the Swedish Parliament last year and then for the many times she has demanded action on climate change. She was featured on a Time magazine cover and the media has coined the term “Greta Thunberg Effect” for her. On 23rd September she addressed world leaders at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit and her short speech – dubbed the How Dare You speech – was the one that attracted the most attention; for all the right reasons.
The fiery teen starts with these words and goes on to thunder at the assembled leaders why it shouldn’t fall to her to do what she was doing. It is up to the leaders to make the right, ethical decisions relating to climate change she says; it should not be the job of kids like her. Listen in – she is clearly angry and she makes a terrific impact.
Of course, the trolls came at her for being ‘gullible’ or ‘delusional’; claiming that she was being ‘manipulated’ or used as a ‘political pawn’ (all stocks in trade of those who want to discredit the messenger and the message). However, her journey as a lone girl picketing outside the Swedish parliament, via Davos and various summits to the UN has been undeniably extraordinary.
They mocked her looks, her expression, and the way she spoke, the fact that she was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and OCD and other aspects of her personality. However, the love and respect Thunberg received far outweighed the mocking and the hate.
He made some inane comment about a ‘happy young girl’ looking forward to a ‘bright and wonderful future’; which is precisely what she did not say. Either he was being deliberately obtuse or he really is that obtuse. In an ironic response, she changed her Twitter bio to what the US President said about her.
She clearly doesn’t like the Donald – possibly the most famous climate change denier on earth – very much. Many commented hilariously on the ‘death stare’ that this photograph captures so pricelessly!
Thunberg’s speech not only received a great live response her words also created quite a stir on social media. While many appreciated her passion and commitment (she and her family gave up eating meat and travelling by air), others said that they were personally inspired to make a change.
There are more and more people becoming aware of climate change; who are finding ways to make a difference at the personal levels. Thunberg is inspiring to millions around the world.
Many celebs came out on social media to congratulate and thank Thunberg for saying what needed to be said. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra also expressed gratitude to Thunberg for delivering the much needed ‘punch in the face’ and for giving the world a critically important message.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
