Thunberg warns young people are "not hopeful" they will save the world

Thunberg warns young people are "not hopeful" they will save the world

"People say we’re hopeful, hopeful that youth save the world. But we are not," the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg said today in Brussels.

There is not enough time left, the climate activist deplored.

Thunberg was invited to speak at the European Economic and Social Committee as part of the "Civil Society for rEUnaissance" event and debate.

Surrounded by other young people inspired by the "school strikes" movement for climate she had initiated — Belgians Anuna De Wever, Kyra Gantois et Adélaïde Charlier — Thunberg begged country leaders to listen to the scientists. "Most politicians do not want to talk to us. Good. Neither do we. We want them to talk to scientists," the 16-year-old said.

She went on to ask the EU to revise upwards its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to save what can still be saved and avoid uncontrollable scenarios described by IPCC experts should global warming exceed 1.5 C°. "It will take 80% less greenhouse gas by 2030, so we have to be twice as ambitious."

"All the problems are left to our generation. But it is not for our future that we fight, but for everyone’s future," says the activist whose face surrounded by two braids has become a world figure in the fight for the climate.

"If you think we should be in school, then why don’t you go on strike? To say that everything is OK by doing nothing is unacceptable. Just waiting to get your hope back is an attitude of a spoiled child. Hope is something you win, "she concluded, loudly applauded.

On Thursday afternoon, Greta Thunberg will participate in Brussels’ Youth for Climate March.

The Brussels Times


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