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.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Climate Emergency and Carbon Budgets

The speaker discusses their transformation from a reclusive individual to an active climate activist, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change. They highlight the critical importance of starting speeches with personal or emotional appeals to engage audiences. The speaker then delves into the scientific facts, referencing the IPCC's SR 1.5 report, which indicates that as of January 1, 2018, only 420 gigatons of CO2 were left in our carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. With current emissions, this budget will be exhausted in approximately eight years. The speaker stresses that these figures are not opinions but the best available science, accepted globally through the IPCC. They also mention the need for equity in addressing climate change, with rich countries needing to reduce emissions faster and assist poorer nations in doing the same. The speaker warns of the potential for irreversible climate chain reactions if global temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.

05:03

🌱 Inadequate Climate Pledges and the Need for Urgency

The speaker critiques the insufficient efforts of wealthy nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pointing out that many pledges lack comprehensive measures, such as including aviation, shipping, and imported/exported goods. They argue that these pledges are misleading and do not reflect the immediate and drastic action required to stay within the shrinking carbon budget. The speaker emphasizes the need for real action, not just promises of future reductions. They also discuss the global inequality in emissions, with the richest 10% of the population producing half of the CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% contribute only a tenth. The speaker calls for an end to the tactics of loophole negotiation and creative accounting by countries, urging for genuine and immediate emission reductions. They express concern that the lack of awareness and urgency among leaders and the public is hindering meaningful action on climate change.

10:04

💪 The Power of Public Awareness and Democracy

In the final paragraph, the speaker expresses hope, not in governments or corporations, but in the people. They observe a growing awareness among individuals who were previously uninformed about the climate crisis. The speaker believes that once people become aware, they are ready for change, and this change can be initiated immediately through democracy, which operates continuously, not just during elections. They emphasize that significant historical changes have originated from the public's demand for action. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to recognize the need for immediate change and to exercise their democratic power to drive the necessary transformations in climate policy and action.

Keywords

💡Public Speaking

Public speaking refers to the act of addressing an audience in a public forum. In the video script, the speaker reflects on their journey from being a reticent individual to becoming an active orator, emphasizing the importance of capturing the audience's attention with personal or emotional narratives. This concept is central to the speaker's strategy for conveying their urgent message about climate change.

💡Carbon Budgets

Carbon budgets are the maximum amounts of carbon dioxide that can be emitted while still having a chance of limiting global warming to a specific level. The script mentions the rapidly declining carbon budgets and how they are being ignored, highlighting the urgency of the climate crisis. The concept is crucial to understanding the limited time we have to act on climate change to prevent catastrophic consequences.

💡Global Temperature Rise

Global temperature rise refers to the increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human-induced climate change. The speaker in the script emphasizes the goal of limiting this rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent irreversible damage to the climate system. This term is central to the discussion of climate change impacts and the measures needed to mitigate them.

💡Equity

Equity, in the context of the video, refers to the fair distribution of resources and responsibilities, particularly between rich and poor countries in addressing climate change. The speaker argues that rich countries must take the lead in reducing emissions and assist less fortunate nations in raising their living standards, which is essential for the successful implementation of the Paris Agreement.

💡Feedback Loops

Feedback loops in climate science are processes that can amplify changes in the climate system. Positive feedback loops, for example, can lead to additional warming, while negative feedbacks can help stabilize the climate. The script mentions that most models do not include these loops, suggesting that the actual risks of climate change might be greater than currently predicted.

💡Tipping Points

Tipping points are thresholds at which a small perturbation can cause a large effect or a transition to a new state in a complex system. In climate science, tipping points could refer to the point of no return for certain irreversible changes, such as the melting of polar ice caps. The script warns about the danger of reaching such points, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

💡Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions are the release of gases into the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, leading to global warming. The speaker in the script calls for drastic emission cuts, highlighting that reducing emissions is not enough; we must aim for zero emissions to stay within the 1.5-degree limit. This term is central to the discussion on mitigating climate change.

💡Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The script discusses the importance of equity in the agreement and the need for countries to take real action to meet their commitments, rather than relying on loopholes or offsets.

💡Climate Neutrality

Climate neutrality refers to achieving a state where the amount of greenhouse gases emitted is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed from the atmosphere. The speaker criticizes pledges for climate neutrality by certain countries, arguing that they often lack immediate action and may include loopholes, such as not accounting for certain emissions or relying on future technologies.

💡Awareness

Awareness, in the context of the video, refers to the public's knowledge and understanding of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action. The speaker emphasizes that awareness is the first step towards change, as it prompts individuals to demand action from their leaders and participate in the democratic process to drive change.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the people, who can exercise it directly or through elected representatives. The script suggests that democracy is not just about voting on election day but is an ongoing process that can be influenced by public opinion. The speaker sees democracy as a tool for enacting the changes needed to address the climate crisis.

Highlights

The speaker used to avoid speaking to others unless necessary, but found a reason to speak and has since given many speeches.

Public speaking should start with personal or emotional content to capture attention.

The speaker chooses not to use panic-inducing phrases to avoid overshadowing the facts.

There is an urgent need to address the rapidly declining carbon budgets.

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

At current emission levels, the remaining carbon budget will be depleted in about eight years.

The figures presented are based on the best available science from the IPCC SR 1.5 report.

The global carbon budget does not account for equity, which is essential for the Paris Agreement.

Rich countries need to reach zero emissions faster and assist poorer nations to do the same.

Most climate models do not include feedback loops or additional warming hidden by air pollution.

The 6 to 7% chance budget for limiting global temperature rise is the highest odds given by the IPCC.

The importance of staying below 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid irreversible climate chain reactions.

Global banks have invested $1.9 trillion in fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement.

100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions.

The richest 10% of the world's population produce half of CO2 emissions, while the poorest 50% account for just 1/10.

Rich countries' pledges to reduce emissions often exclude aviation, shipping, and imported/exported goods.

Countries are finding ways to avoid real action, such as double-counting emissions reductions.

The need for drastic emission cuts at the source and keeping carbon in the ground.

The lack of awareness and urgency among leaders and the public about the climate crisis.

The hope comes from the people, not governments or corporations, as they start to wake up to the crisis.

Democracy and public opinion can drive change, and people are ready for it.

Transcripts

a year and a half ago I didn't speak to

anyone unless I really had to but then I

found a reason to speak since then I've

given many speeches and learned that

when you talk in public you should start

with something personal or emotional to

get everyone's attention say things like

our house is on fire

I wanted to panic or how dare you but

today I will not do that because then

those phrases are all that people focus

on they don't remember the facts the

very reason why I say those things in

the first place we no longer have time

to leave out the science for about a

year I have been constantly talking

about our rapidly declining carbon

budgets over and over again but since

there is still being ignored I will just

keep repeating it in chapter 2 on page

108 in the SR 1.5 IPCC report that came

out last year it says that if we are to

have a six to seven percent chance of

limiting the global temperature rise to

below 1.5 degrees Celsius we had on

January 1st 2018 420 gigatons of co2

left to meet in that budget and of

course that number is much lower today

as we emits about 42 Giga tons of co2

every year including land use with

today's emissions levels that remaining

budgets will be gone within about eight

years these numbers aren't anyone's

opinions or political views this is the

current best available science though

many scientists suggests these figures

are too moderates these are the ones

that have been accept

that through the ipcc and please note

that these figures are global and

therefore do not say anything about the

aspect of equity which is absolutely

essential to make the Paris agreement

work on a global scale that means that

rich countries need to do their fair

share and get down to real zero

emissions much faster and then help

poorer countries do the same so people

in less fortunate parts of the world can

raise their living standards these

numbers also don't include most feedback

loops nonlinear tipping points or

additional warming hidden by toxic air

pollution most models assume however

that future generations will somehow be

able to suck hundreds of billions of

tons of co2 out of the air with

technologies that do not exist in the

scale required and maybe never will the

approximate 6 to 7% chance budget is the

one with the highest odds given by the

IPCC and now we have less than 340

gigatons of co2 left to meet in that

budget to share fairly and why is it so

important to stay below 1.5 degrees

because even a 1 degree people are dying

from the climate crisis because that is

what the united science calls for to

avoid destabilizing the climates so that

we have the best possible chance to

avoid setting of irreversible chain

reactions such as melting glaciers

polarize and throwing Arctic permafrost

every fraction of a degree matters so

there it is again

this is my message this is what I want

you to focus on so please tell me how do

you react to these numbers without

feeling at least some level of panic how

do you respond to the fact that

basically nothing is being done about

this without feeling the slightest bit

of anger and how do you communicate this

without sounding alarmist I would really

like to know since the Paris agreement

global banks have invested one point

nine trillion u.s. dollars in fossil

fuels 100 companies are responsible for

71 percent of global emissions the g20

countries account for almost 80 percent

of total emissions the richest 10% of

the world's population produce half of

our co2 emissions while the poorest 50

percent account for just 1/10 we indeed

have some work to do but some of more

than others

recently a handful of rich countries

pledged to reduce their emissions of

greenhouse gases by so on so many

percent by this or that date or to

become climate neutral or Net Zero in so

on so many years

this may sound impressive at first

glance but even though the intentions

may be good this is not leadership this

is not leading this is misleading

because most of these pledges do not

include aviation shipping and imported

and exported goods in consumption they

do however include the possibility of

countries to offset their emissions

elsewhere these pledges don't include

the immediate

yearly reduction rates needed for

wealthy countries which is necessary to

stay within the remaining tiny budget

zero in 2050 means nothing if high

emission continues even for a few years

then the remaining budget will be gone

without seeing the full picture we will

not solve this crisis finding holistic

solutions is what the cop should be all

about but instead it seems to have

turned into some kind of opportunity for

countries to negotiate loopholes and to

avoid raising their ambition

countries are finding clever ways around

having to take real action like double

counting emissions reductions and moving

their emissions overseas and working

back on their promises to increase

ambition or refusing to pay for

solutions or loss and damage this has to

stop

what we need is real drastic emission

cuts at the source but of course just

reducing emissions is not enough our

greenhouse gas emissions has to stop to

stay below 1.5 degrees we need to keep

the carbon in the ground only setting up

distant dates and saying things which

give the impression of that action is

underway will most likely do more harm

than good

because the changes required are still

nowhere in sight the politics needed

does not exist today despite what you

might hear from world leaders and I

still believe that the biggest danger is

not inaction the real danger is when

politicians and CEOs are making it look

like real action is happening when in

fact almost nothing is being done

apart from clever accounting and

creative PR

I have been fortunate enough to be able

to travel around the world and my

experience is that the lack of awareness

is the same everywhere not the least

amongst those elected to lead us there

is no sense of urgency whatsoever our

leaders are not behaving as if we were

in an emergency in an emergency you

change your behavior if there's a child

standing in the middle of the road and

cars are coming at full speed

you don't look away because it's too

uncomfortable you immediately run out

and rescue that child and without that

sense of urgency how can we the people

understand that we are facing a real

crisis and if the people are not fully

aware of what is going on then they will

not put pressure on the people in power

to do to the act and without pressure

from the people our leaders can get away

with basically not doing anything well

which is where we are now and around and

around it goes in just three weeks we

will enter a new decade a decade they

will define our future right now we are

desperate for any sign of hope well I'm

telling you there is hope I have seen it

but it does not come from the

governments or corporations it comes

from the people the people who have been

unaware but are now starting to wake up

and once we become aware we change

people can't change people are ready for

change

and that is the hope because we have

democracy

and democracy is happening all the time

not just on election day but every

second and every hour it is public

opinion that runs the free world in fact

every great change throughout history

has come from the people we do not have

to wait we can start the change right

now we the people thank you

[Applause]