well-known young Swedish environmental activist | Sunday Observer
Greta Thunberg,

well-known young Swedish environmental activist

12 June, 2021

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”—Margaret Mea. Greta Thunberg, who certainly does not need an introduction, is a young Swedish environmental activist well known in every nook and corner of the world. Greta is credited with having established a movement in 2018, known both as ‘Fridays for Future’ and ‘School Strike for Climate’.

This particular movement is well known to have dealt and addressed the issues of climate change which have been rather unprecedented.

Greta has expressed her dismay over British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s description on climate activism as “bunny hugging” in a recent virtual climate summit organised by the American President Joe Biden with the participation of dozens of world leaders.

Meanwhile, Greta was seen testifying at a US congressional hearing regarding the hotly felt requirement of terminating the provision of federal subsidies for fossil fuels where she urged the relevant leaders to initiate quick actions with regard to it.

Greta asked “How long do you think you can continue to ignore the climate crisis … without being held accountable?”

Dismay

Greta expresses her dismay on the escalation of the burning of fossil fuels which results in the emission of a large quantity of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. She protests over the alarming increase of global temperature which has already risen by 1°C. Greta was born in the Swedish capital of Stockholm from where she raises her voice against the environmental degradation which goes unabated. The protests that she started right in front of the Swedish Parliament building had a strong impact on the Swedish government’s rules and regulations on carbon emission into the atmosphere. ‘School Strike for Climate’, introduced by Greta urges students around the world to join hands with her in order to protest against the tremendous amount of carbon emission leading to environmental degradation.

A considerable number of students from around the world including the US, the UK, Japan and Australia have so far joined with Great’s ‘School Strike for Climate’whereby they have been able to raise a voice against the relevant parties which are held responsible for the alarming destruction of the environment.

The on-going health restrictions imposed during the pandemic have persuaded Greta to slightly distance herself in getting involved with her usual activities with regard to the preservation of the environment.

Many times over the years she was seen taking part in strikes organised in Europe to extend a support for the protection of the environment. Her refusal to travel in a mode of transport which contributes to the environmental degradation has been popular news around the world.

Sometime ago, addressing a UN climate conference she criticised politicians for attempting to rely upon young people to find remedies for climate change. She blasted them while declaring “How dare you? I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean, yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you?”

Recognition

In recognition of the enormous contribution by Greta for the protection of the entire Planet Earth, the prestigious Times Magazine has once nominated her as its ‘Person of the Year’. Though her comments have been treated by some countries as outrageous they have been able to have a considerable impact on some highly influential governments and businesses across the world to make them pay due consideration to the preservation of the environment.

Greta initially set an example in her own country, Sweden, where she protested against certain climatic targets of the Swedish government, while requesting students living around the world to come forward and stage protests against the decisions taken by their respective governments which may hamper the struggle launched for the protection of the environment. Meanwhile, due to her growing popularity and fame, she stands as a formidable force which can directly make suggestions for governments around the world with regard to positive moves to be taken for the safety, beauty and healthiness of the environment.

Comments