The Global Climate Strike (GCS) is a week-long campaign against the climate crisis that has resulted in irreversible damage over the years. The campaign just kickstarted last September 20, but it had been making waves long before, through the voice of Swedish 16-year-old Greta Thunberg. She started her own strike last year by sitting outside the steps of the Swedish Parliament, and people began to take notice. Since then, her efforts have not only garnered the attention of the entire world but more importantly, elicited action among the youth, organizations, and staunch advocates. She single-handedly started a global movement.
The urgency of climate change is not something new, but perhaps what’s striking is the statistics highlighted by the U.N.: “Global emissions are reaching record levels and show no sign of peaking. The last four years were the four hottest on record, and winter temperatures in the Arctic have risen by 3°C since 1990. Sea levels are rising, coral reefs are dying, and we are starting to see the life-threatening impact of climate change on health, through air pollution, heatwaves and risks to food security.”
Thunberg addressed the U.N. Climate Action Summit yesterday, September 23, and her powerful speech stirred a lot of positive reactions. This is the second time the teen activist has addressed the public. Upon her arrival in New York, she made waves when she had addressed the U.S. Congress, which rapidly made headlines.
One thing that Thunberg emphasizes is her disappointment towards the inadequate actions taken by the government; it should not have to come to this point when the youth must take up arms and plead for change. Such sentiments continue to strike a chord amongst the youth. Here are some of her most moving statements including ones from her previous speeches:
“For more than 30 years, the science has been crystal clear. How dare you continue to look away?" (U.N. Climate Action Summit)
“The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line.” (U.N. Climate Action Summit)
"You say you hear us and that you understand the urgency. But no matter how sad and angry I am, I do not want to believe that. Because if you really understood the situation and still kept on failing to act, then you would be evil. And that I refuse to believe." (U.N. Climate Action Summit)
"We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up. And change is coming, whether you like it or not." (U.N. Climate Action Summit)
"I have a dream that the people in power, as well as the media, start treating this crisis like the existential emergency it is. So that I could go home to my sister and my dogs. Because I miss them." (U.S. Congress Speech)
"It should not be that way. We should not be the ones who are fighting for the future, and yet here we are." (New York)
"Why should we study for a future that is being taken away from us. That is being sold for profit." (New York)
"There are no gray areas when it comes to survival. Either we go on as a civilization or we don’t. We have to change." (TED Talk 2018)
"What we do or don’t do right now will affect my entire life and the lives of my children and grandchildren. What we do or don’t do right now, me and my generation can’t undo in the future." (TED Talk 2018)
"We’ve had 30 years of pep-talking and selling positive ideas. And I’m sorry, but it doesn’t work. Because if it would have, the emissions would have gone down by now. They haven’t." (TED Talk 2018)
"So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come." (TED Talk 2018)
"You cannot solve the crisis without treating it as a crisis, without seeing the full picture. You cannot leave the responsibility to individuals, politicians, the market or other parts of the world to take. This has to include everything and everyone." (National Assembly, Paris)
