School strike for climate - save the world by changing the rules | Greta Thunberg | TEDxStockholm

Summary

The speaker, an 11-year-old who fell into depression over climate change, challenges the world's inaction despite acknowledging the crisis. With a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism, they advocate for drastic emission reductions, especially in rich countries, and emphasize the urgency of change. They criticize the lack of media attention and political action, call for global equity in addressing the crisis, and urge immediate, rule-changing action rather than relying on hope alone.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker first learned about climate change at eight and was puzzled by the lack of urgency despite its severity.
• 💡 The speaker questioned the inconsistency between recognizing climate change as a threat and continuing with business as usual.
• 😔 At 11, the speaker fell into depression, reflecting the emotional toll of the climate crisis on young people.
• 🔑 The speaker was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism, highlighting the personal challenges faced alongside the global crisis.
• 🌐 The speaker emphasizes the black-and-white nature of the climate crisis, rejecting the notion of gray areas when survival is at stake.
• 📉 The speaker calls for drastic emission reductions, particularly in rich countries like Sweden, to meet climate targets.
• 🌡 The script mentions the IPCC's findings on the benefits of aiming for a 1.5-degree Celsius target over the 2-degree target.
• 📰 The lack of media and leadership focus on climate change is criticized, pointing out the disconnect between words and actions.
• 🌳 The script addresses the sixth mass extinction and the rapid loss of biodiversity, a fact often overlooked in discussions.
• 🏛 The importance of equity and climate justice is stressed, with a call for rich countries to reach zero emissions to allow developing nations to improve their living standards.
• 🚫 The speaker challenges the audience to consider why emissions are not being reduced and questions the collective inaction despite the known consequences.
• 🏫 The speaker recounts their school strike for the climate, emphasizing the need for action over education when the future is at risk.
• 🌱 The script concludes with a call to action rather than hope, asserting that hope will follow action, not precede it.
• 🛑 The speaker argues that the current rules are insufficient and must be changed to effectively combat climate change.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first encounter with the concept of climate change?

The speaker first heard about climate change or global warming when they were about eight years old.

What actions were suggested to the speaker to help mitigate climate change?

The speaker was told to turn off lights to save energy and to recycle paper to conserve resources.

Why did the speaker find it strange that humans could change the Earth's climate?

The speaker found it strange because if humans were capable of such an impact, it would be the only topic of discussion in the media, akin to a world war.

How did the speaker's perception of the world change after being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism?

The speaker began to see themselves and others on the autism spectrum as more 'normal' in their straightforwardness compared to the rest of society, especially regarding the urgency of the climate crisis.

What does the speaker believe is the necessary reduction in emissions for rich countries like Sweden?

The speaker believes that rich countries like Sweden need to reduce emissions by at least 15 percent every year.

Why is aiming for a 1.5-degree Celsius warming target considered more beneficial according to the speaker?

Aiming for 1.5 degrees Celsius would significantly reduce the climate impacts, as demonstrated by the IPCC.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of media and leadership regarding climate change?

The speaker criticizes the lack of focus on climate change by the media and leaders, who do not prioritize the issue as they should.

What is the 'sixth mass extinction' mentioned by the speaker, and how severe is it?

The 'sixth mass extinction' refers to the current event where up to 200 species are going extinct daily, with the extinction rate being significantly higher than what is considered normal.

What does the speaker suggest is the timeframe for rich countries to achieve zero emissions?

The speaker suggests that rich countries need to achieve zero emissions within 6 to 12 years, considering the current emission rates.

Why does the speaker question the actions of people and politicians regarding the climate crisis?

The speaker questions because despite the urgency of the climate crisis, people continue with their everyday lives without significant changes, and politicians do not enact necessary restrictions.

What action did the speaker take to protest the lack of action on climate change?

The speaker started a school strike for the climate by sitting outside the Swedish parliament.

What does the speaker believe is the most important factor needed to combat climate change?

The speaker believes that action is more crucial than hope, and that change must begin immediately.

Why does the speaker argue that current rules and politics are insufficient to address climate change?

The speaker argues that the current rules and politics do not effectively reduce oil consumption, and thus, the rules themselves need to change to enforce the necessary reductions.