On the 20th of August last year, a young schoolgirl sat outside Swedish Parliament, with a sign saying “School Strike for Climate”. This girl is Greta Thunberg. She is the new face and identity of climate activism. Thanks to her individual protests, there are now millions marching alongside her. But now that she’s in the global spotlight many are criticising and discrediting her. Those in power continue to deny and ignore her cries. Although, the United Nations has given her a platform, to back her speeches. So should we be listening? Or will we continue to turn a blind eye to the facts and the faces of the future?
Greta is only 16 years old. This is one of the reasons why politicians dismiss her as simply a “child”. Even with nations full of supporters, her opinions are being widely disregarded. After delivering an emotional and powerful speech at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, instead of addressing her cause, Donald Trump ignorantly mocked Thunberg. Tweeting to say that she looks like “a very happy young girl” who is “looking forward to a bright and wonderful future”.
In addition to Greta’s age, she also has disabilities. Other commentators have been rude too, implying that she is “mentally ill” and “unstable”. But, despite all the hate and criticism, Greta continues to fight. Perhaps if adults had taken action in the first place they wouldn’t be bickering with a 16-year-old. Greta has proven that age and disabilities are no reason to be ignored.
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Another excuse for why people currently don’t listen to Greta is because they’d rather her be in school than striking. Every Friday, instead of going to school, Greta participates in a Climate Strike. These are increasing in size and have occurred all around the world. My friends and I have been to one - you may have too. By choosing not to attend school many people consider Thunberg - and all of us marching with her, to be “spoilt” and “ungrateful'. But Greta asks, why go to school and get an education if the Government doesn’t believe the educated, like climate scientists? Or why go to school if there is no future to work towards? Greta Thunberg is not ungrateful. She is not asking for anything selfish. And those who restrict her activism, need to ask themselves the question: What are you scared of? And if they are scared of the power and opinions of the new generation, start listening.
The main reason Greta’s words are not being heard is because Climate change is treated as if it’s a debate of opinions, rather than facts. Greta paints a dark picture of death and extinction that no one wants to believe. However, what she is saying is based on solid scientific evidence. Greta uses official climate reports, backed by the UN to tell the world what must be done. Wealthy countries, like Australia, must lower their emissions. We are technically meeting our agreements. But this is not enough. However, Scott Morrison and the current Government believe that they are already doing enough. Denial is not a sufficient policy for climate change. Thunberg has a clear message that now is the time for accepting the facts, and the time for change.
Greta Thunberg is a young woman, who does have disabilities, but these are not reasons for her to be disregarded. Greta has been belittled and bullied and told to shut up and go back to school. Yet above all the noise, she still tries to communicate her message, and if everyone stopped shouting we’d be able to hear it. When we do pause for a minute, you can clearly see the point. Greta says “I want you to listen to the scientists. I want you to unite behind the science and I want you to take real action.” That’s what we need to do.
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