Summary of Greta Thunberg’s speech at UN climate change conference
In her speech at the UN climate change conference, Greta Thunberg emphasized the critical importance of limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts such as melting glaciers, polar ice loss, and thawing permafrost. She highlighted that even a one-degree increase is already causing deaths worldwide, underscoring that every fraction of a degree matters.
Thunberg criticized the current global response, pointing out that since the Paris Agreement, banks have invested $1.9 trillion in fossil fuels, and a small number of companies and wealthy nations are responsible for the majority of emissions. She stressed the inequality in emissions, noting that the richest 10% produce half of global CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% contribute only a tenth.
She condemned the pledges made by some rich countries as misleading rather than true leadership, since many exclude key sectors like aviation and shipping, allow for carbon offsets, and lack the necessary immediate emission reduction rates. Thunberg warned that promises of "net zero by 2050" are meaningless if high emissions continue in the near term, as the remaining carbon budget would be quickly exhausted.
The speech criticized the political negotiations at COP conferences as opportunities for countries to find loopholes, avoid raising ambition, and shirk responsibility for loss and damage. Thunberg called for drastic emission cuts at the source and emphasized that simply reducing emissions is insufficient; fossil fuels must remain in the ground.
She expressed frustration over the lack of urgency among world leaders, comparing the climate crisis to an emergency where immediate action is needed, but leaders behave as if there is none. Thunberg argued that public awareness and pressure are crucial to force political action, as current leadership is failing to act adequately.
Despite the grim situation, Thunberg ended on a hopeful note, stating that hope lies with the people, who are increasingly waking up to the crisis and ready for change. She emphasized the power of democracy and public opinion as drivers of meaningful change, encouraging people not to wait for governments but to start demanding and enacting change now.
Presenters/Contributors:
Notable Quotes
— 00:00 — « No notable quotes »
Category
News and Commentary