As the near-term effects of climate change become more and more apparent, the generations that will inherit Earth and all of its environmental woes are beginning to speak up in favor of a sustainable future. One of the loudest voices from the chorus comes from Greta Thunberg. The now-world-famous 16-year-old Swedish student and activist has made it her mission to force leaders to take the necessary steps to combat climate change. And she’s done just that in her latest appearance before Congress.
In the video, which was posted by Guardian News (via Digg), Thunberg tells the The House Climate Crisis Committee and a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that they need “to take real action” to combat climate change. “I don’t want you to listen to me,” Thunberg says in the clip; “I want you to listen to the scientists.”
In lieu of prepared remarks, Thunberg only offered up an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that outlines the likelihood of the world warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from preindustrial levels, as well as what kinds of disastrous effects such a significant rise in temperature would have on the planet. Thunberg stated in her terse remarks that “[these are] not political views or my opinions, this is the science….”
On my way to Capitol Hill. At 10h we’ll testify at The House Committee on Foreign Affairs. At 12h I will support Our Children’s Trust at the Supreme Court. Then at 17h ET I will address Members of Congress in the Ways & Means Committee Hearing Room. #UniteBehindTheScience pic.twitter.com/YRgbykuvWa
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 18, 2019
Thunberg, who’s developed a following of 3.3 million people on Instagram and 1.4 million people on twitter, has mobilized people in countries across the globe to compel their governments to act on climate change. She herself started out by demonstrating in front of Swedish parliament in 2018. Since then, she has catalyzed the “Fridays for Future” movement, encouraging people, especially students, to protest against climate change in any — safe — way possible. Thunberg and Fridays for Future are calling for a new round of protests to take place from September 20-27, which will use the hashtag #WeekforFuture online.
After Thunberg’s opening statement, several other young climate activists spoke. You can watch all of their speeches in the C-SPAN video below.
What do you think of Thunberg’s speech to Congress? Let us know in the comments!
Images: Guardian News
