After the climate change walkouts took place all over the world, global leaders decided to arrange a U.N. Conference to discuss the topic. On September 23rd, Greta Thunberg shocked the world with her emotional and passionate speech at the conference. The Swedish teenage climate activist criticized our world leaders for their lack of effort to address global warming and the effects it has and will have on our planet. Additionally, Thunberg shamed governments for their lack of action regarding global warming.

Thunberg starts her speech off with, “This is all wrong!” After this, she said, “The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line.” As Thunberg speaks to the world, she explains how she and her generation will not be satisfied with this lack of effort. Thunberg proceeds to convince leaders across the planet to make a change.

The teenage activist continues by saying, “…[W]e have to speak clearly, no matter how uncomfortable that may be. You only speak of green eternal economic growth because you are too scared of being unpopular. You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake.”  

Additionally, the Swedish activist demands action on radical cuts in greenhouse gas emissions that scientists explain are necessary to avoid an extreme climate catastrophe. 

After Thunberg’s speech, it is clear that she had made the biggest impact of all the national representatives. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, explained to delegates, ”the time for talking is over.”

          ”To have a 67% chance of staying below a 1.5 degrees global temperature rise – the best odds given by the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] – the world had 420 gigatons of CO2 left to emit back on Jan.1st, 2018. Today that figure is already down to less than 350 gigatons. How dare you pretend that this can be solved with just ‘business as usual’ and some technical solutions?” Thunberg stated. 

Senior Bridget Ballo explains, “Greta Thunberg is not the right person to represent our generation when it comes to anything political. Her accusatory tone and hysterical crying only made her look completely out of her mind and took the emphasis off of the issue at hand. Phrases such as, ‘How dare you!’ towards the United Nation is not only unprofessional but rude. What standing or education does Greta Thunberg have?” Much like Ballo, many people believe that Greta’s approach and attitude towards the topic of climate change was completely unprofessional. Additionally, many think that Thunberg has no right to make a statement such as, “And if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you.” This is because many believe she has no right to represent her generation. 

On the other hand, Senior Olivia Stobo states, “I believe that Greta Thunberg is a very strong and inspirational girl. Her courage to speak up for what she believes in despite knowing that there would be backlash from people who are much older and more powerful than her should be an example to all young girls.” Stobo applauds Thunberg for her ability to be so vulnerable to such a large audience by using her raw emotions.