Greta Thunberg and the young woman’s role in the environmental crisis
Greta Thunberg and the young woman’s role in the environmental crisis
The Greta effect has influenced young people around the world to become protagonists in the fight against global warming
By Tahysa Mota Macedo
For three Fridays in August 2018, Greta and her classmates held a school strike and gathered in front of the Swedish Parliament demanding concrete measures from politicians in favor of the environment. This movement was posted by her on social media and soon went viral. The action inspired young people around the world who joined the cause. Currently, there are more than 14,000 people associated with the movement that takes place on all continents and is called “Fridays for the future”. The great media exposure makes her face associated with pro-environment movements and protests.
The activist spoke at COP2024 (Conference of the Parties) in December 2018, was invited to speak at the UN Climate Conference and the World Economic Forum, both in 2019, just one year after her first protests in Sweden. One of her highly commented actions was the 100% sustainable sailboat trip to New York for the UN conference, as planes are major emitters of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas related to global warming. At this conference, she joined other young activists who complained about the lack of commitment and actions aimed at protecting children from the impacts of climate change.
“I’m telling you there is hope. I’ve seen it. But it doesn’t come from governments and corporations. It comes from people” (UN Climate Conference 2019).
Greta Thunberg doesn’t come up with an entirely new speech, so why so many followers and haters? Her activism causes concern in some politicians and businessmen, which led to fake news publications that said her speech did not reflect her practice. Greta gains notoriety with her intense speech and due to the speed with which her speech reaches the world through social media. In addition, she has a different appearance than what is imagined of an environmentalist, a prejudice formed by some. His small stature and his childish appearance make many people uncomfortable, but at the same time contradicts his alarming and aggressive speech.
“You stole my dreams and my childhood with your empty words (…) We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you talk about is money and a fairy tale of eternal economic growth. How dare you?” (Climate Summit at the UN).
Seeing young people involved and concerned with environmental issues makes us reflect on our actions in the present. Are we living like there’s no tomorrow? Our lines and actions matter! They are watched by children and teenagers who may be more aware of their role and influence in the environment than we were before. Greta proposes extreme actions such as the immediate interruption of the use of fossil fuels. While it is a necessary action, we know that the economy depends on it today and that this change can only be gradual.
Actions and solutions on a global scale are not done quickly. The fact that she has space to speak in front of major world representatives encourages many young people, including Brazilians, to also take a stand on environmental issues.
The Greta effect has influenced young people around the world to become protagonists in the fight against global warming. In a Christian view, these young people are resuming the role of man as administrator/protector of the world that seeks the return of order.
Tahysa Mota Macedo
Phd. in Botany and high school Biology teacher at Colégio Presbiteriano Mackenzie — São Paulo.
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in EcoDebate, ISSN 2446-9394
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