The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

Summary

In this powerful speech, 12-year-old Severn Suzuki addresses world leaders, calling out adults for their environmental irresponsibility. Speaking on behalf of future generations, she expresses fear for the planet's future, highlighting issues like ozone depletion, animal extinction, and poverty. Suzuki urges global unity and challenges the hypocrisy of adults who teach children values like sharing and respect, yet fail to practice them. She emphasizes the need for urgent action to protect the environment and create a better world for children, reminding adults that their actions define the future.

Takeaways

• 🌍 A group of 12 and 13-year-olds, including Severn Suzuki, raised money to attend this conference to urge adults to change their ways and protect the environment.
• 📢 Severn speaks on behalf of future generations, highlighting that losing the future is more serious than losing elections or stock market points.
• 🍃 She expresses fear for her future, such as being afraid of the sun due to ozone depletion and of breathing air filled with unknown chemicals.
• 🐟 Severn laments that activities she once enjoyed, like fishing in Vancouver, are now marred by environmental damage, such as fish with cancer.
• 🦋 She questions whether her children will ever see wild animals and rainforests, expressing doubt about the survival of species due to human impact.
• 🛑 Severn emphasizes that adults don’t know how to fix the environmental problems they've created, like ozone holes, extinct species, or destroyed forests.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 She reminds the audience that they are not just officials but also family members, united by the responsibility to care for the planet.
• 🌱 Despite her anger and fear, Severn sees hope, calling for a unified effort to work toward a single goal for the environment.
• 💔 She contrasts the greed of wealthy nations with the generosity of a street child in Brazil who was willing to share what little he had.
• 🌏 Severn challenges adults to act in accordance with the values they teach children, urging them to prioritize the environment and future generations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Severn Suzuki's speech?

Severn Suzuki's main purpose is to urge adults and leaders to take immediate action to protect the environment and ensure a better future for the next generations.

Who does Severn Suzuki represent in her speech?

Severn Suzuki speaks on behalf of E.C.O., the Environmental Children's Organization, a group of 12 and 13-year-olds advocating for environmental change.

What examples does Suzuki give to illustrate environmental damage?

Suzuki mentions the depletion of the ozone layer, polluted air, cancerous fish in Vancouver, and the extinction of animals and plants as examples of environmental degradation.

What does Suzuki express fear about in her speech?

Suzuki expresses fear of going out in the sun due to ozone layer depletion and fear of breathing in polluted air with unknown chemicals.

How does Suzuki contrast the lives of privileged children with those living in poverty?

Suzuki contrasts the privileged lives of children in wealthier countries like Canada, who have access to food, water, and technology, with children living in poverty, such as those on the streets of Brazil, Somalia, and India.

What criticism does Suzuki offer regarding wealthier nations?

Suzuki criticizes wealthier nations for being wasteful and greedy, noting that despite having more than enough, they are afraid to share with those in need.

What moral lesson from school does Suzuki remind the adults of?

Suzuki reminds adults of the moral lessons taught in school, such as not fighting, respecting others, cleaning up one's mess, not hurting other creatures, sharing, and not being greedy.

What does Suzuki suggest could be achieved if money spent on wars were redirected?

Suzuki suggests that if money spent on wars were redirected towards solving environmental issues, ending poverty, and creating peace treaties, the world would be a much better place.

What emotional appeal does Suzuki make towards the end of her speech?

Suzuki emotionally appeals to parents, asking them to make the world a place where they can honestly tell their children that everything will be alright, reflecting true love through their actions.

What challenge does Suzuki pose to adults at the end of her speech?

Suzuki challenges adults to make their actions reflect their words of love and concern for the younger generations, emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with promises.