Greta Thunberg full speech at UN Climate Change COP25 - Climate Emergency Event

Summary

The speaker addresses the urgency of climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate action. They highlight the shrinking carbon budget and criticize global leaders for ineffective pledges and lack of urgency. The speaker calls for drastic emission cuts and stresses the importance of equity in addressing the crisis. They express hope in the people's power to demand change, emphasizing democracy's role in driving necessary action.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The speaker emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis, stating that traditional alarming phrases are often the focus rather than the facts.
• 🌡️ According to the IPCC SR 1.5 report, as of January 1st, 2018, only 420 gigatons of CO2 were left to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a budget that is rapidly shrinking.
• 🌍 The current best science suggests that at the current emissions level, the remaining carbon budget will be depleted in approximately eight years.
• 🌱 The speaker highlights the importance of equity in climate action, stating that rich countries must reduce emissions faster and assist less fortunate nations.
• ⏱️ The script points out that most climate models do not account for feedback loops or additional warming hidden by air pollution.
• 🌿 The necessity to stay below a 1.5°C increase is underscored, as even a 1°C rise is causing deaths and climate destabilization.
• 💸 Post-Paris Agreement, global banks have continued to invest heavily in fossil fuels, with 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions.
• 🏢 The wealthiest 10% of the global population contribute to half of CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% account for only 10%.
• 📉 The speaker criticizes the insufficient and misleading climate pledges by some countries that exclude key sectors and lack immediate reduction rates.
• 🌳 To limit global warming to 1.5°C, it's not enough to reduce emissions; we must also keep carbon in the ground and avoid false solutions.
• 🗳️ The script concludes with a call to action, emphasizing that real change comes from an informed public demanding action from their leaders.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial attitude towards speaking to others?

The speaker initially avoided speaking to anyone unless absolutely necessary.

What did the speaker learn about public speaking from their experience?

The speaker learned that starting with personal or emotional statements can grab attention, but they chose not to do so in this speech to avoid overshadowing the facts.

What is the significance of the 'house is on fire' metaphor in the context of the speech?

The 'house is on fire' metaphor is used to illustrate the urgency of the climate crisis, but the speaker refrains from using it to ensure the audience focuses on the scientific facts.

According to the IPCC report mentioned, what was the remaining carbon budget as of January 1st, 2018 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius?

As of January 1st, 2018, there were 420 gigatons of CO2 left in the budget to limit the global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

How quickly is the remaining carbon budget being depleted based on current emissions?

At the current rate of about 42 gigatons of CO2 emissions per year, the remaining budget would be depleted in approximately eight years.

What does the speaker suggest is the role of rich countries in addressing climate change?

Rich countries should reduce their emissions faster, reach zero emissions, and assist poorer countries in doing the same to allow them to improve their living standards.

What are the implications of exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius global temperature rise?

Exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius could lead to irreversible chain reactions such as melting glaciers, polar ice caps, and Arctic permafrost, which could destabilize the climate.

How does the speaker feel about the pledges made by some countries to reduce emissions?

The speaker views these pledges as misleading and insufficient, as they often exclude certain emissions and do not include immediate, substantial reduction rates.

What does the speaker believe is the biggest danger in addressing climate change?

The speaker believes the biggest danger is the illusion of action by politicians and CEOs, where they make it seem like significant steps are being taken while hardly anything is being done.

What does the speaker see as the source of hope in combating climate change?

The speaker sees hope in the people, particularly those who are becoming aware of the crisis and are ready to demand change.

How does the speaker suggest that change should be initiated?

The speaker suggests that change should start immediately, through public opinion and democracy, without waiting for election cycles or government initiatives.