The disarming case to act right now on climate change | Greta Thunberg

Summary

In this powerful speech, a young climate activist with Asperger's syndrome passionately addresses the urgent need for action on climate change. They criticize the lack of genuine response from society and leaders despite the severity of the crisis. Calling for immediate and drastic emission cuts, especially in rich countries, they stress the importance of equity and justice in climate action. The activist also challenges the audience to move beyond hope and take concrete steps towards change, emphasizing that the current rules must be changed to save the world.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker was intrigued by the concept of climate change at a young age and questioned why it wasn't the sole focus of every conversation if it was truly an existential threat.
• 💡 The realization that climate change was not being treated with the urgency it deserved led the speaker to a state of depression and an eventual diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism.
• 🗣 The speaker criticizes the lack of action on climate change despite widespread acknowledgment that it is a critical issue, highlighting the discrepancy between words and actions.
• 👥 As an individual with autism, the speaker perceives the world in black and white terms, which shapes their perspective on the need for clear and decisive action on climate change.
• 🌡 The speaker emphasizes the need for drastic emission reductions, particularly in rich countries like Sweden, to stay below the two-degree warming target, with an even more ambitious aim for 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• 🌱 The script points out that the media and political leaders are not focusing on the necessary discussions about reducing emissions and the impacts of climate change.
• 🐾 The speaker brings attention to the sixth mass extinction, highlighting the rapid rate of species loss and the need for urgent action to address this crisis.
• 💪 The concept of equity and climate justice is discussed, stressing that rich countries must lead by example in reducing emissions to allow less developed countries to improve their standard of living.
• 🏛 The speaker reflects on the lack of visible crisis management regarding climate change, questioning why there are no emergency measures or headlines reflecting the urgency of the situation.
• 📚 The speaker chose to strike from school to demand action on climate change, arguing that the crisis has already been identified and solutions exist – what is lacking is the will to implement them.
• 🌱 The script concludes with a call to action rather than hope, stating that hope will follow action, and that the current rules need to be changed to effectively combat climate change.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to learning about climate change?

The speaker was puzzled and found it strange that humans could change the Earth's climate, questioning why it wasn't the sole focus of every conversation and media outlet if it was such a significant issue.

What health issues did the speaker experience at the age of 11?

At the age of 11, the speaker fell into depression, stopped talking, and stopped eating, leading to a significant weight loss. Later, they were diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism.

How does the speaker describe their communication style due to being on the autism spectrum?

The speaker states that they speak only when they think it's necessary, indicating a preference for clear and direct communication without unnecessary social games.

What is the speaker's view on the urgency of addressing climate change?

The speaker views climate change as an existential threat that requires immediate action, questioning why people continue with their usual activities if the situation is as dire as claimed.

What specific action does the speaker suggest for rich countries to reduce emissions?

The speaker suggests that rich countries like Sweden need to start reducing emissions by at least 15 percent every year to stay below a two-degree warming target.

What is the significance of the 1.5 degrees Celsius target mentioned by the speaker?

Aiming for a 1.5 degrees Celsius target would significantly reduce the climate impacts compared to a 2-degree target, according to the IPCC.

What additional warming effect is currently being masked by air pollution, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that air pollution is hiding a warming effect, which could add an extra level of warming of up to 0.5 to 1.1 degrees Celsius when fossil fuel burning stops.

How does the speaker relate the climate crisis to the sixth mass extinction?

The speaker points out that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with up to 200 species going extinct every day, and the extinction rate is much higher than what is considered normal.

What does the speaker believe is necessary for rich countries to achieve climate justice?

The speaker believes that rich countries need to reach zero emissions within 6 to 12 years to allow people in poorer countries to improve their standard of living.

Why did the speaker decide to school strike for the climate?

The speaker decided to school strike for the climate because they felt that the current actions and discussions were insufficient to address the urgency of the climate crisis.

What is the speaker's stance on the role of hope in addressing climate change?

The speaker argues that while hope is important, what is more crucial is action. They suggest that hope will follow action, not the other way around.

What does the speaker propose needs to change in order to effectively combat climate change?

The speaker proposes that everything needs to change, starting with a change in rules and political will, as playing by the current rules is insufficient to save the world.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Climate Change Awareness and Personal Struggle

The speaker, diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism, recounts their early awareness of climate change at the age of eight. They express confusion and frustration over the lack of urgent societal response to an issue they perceive as existentially threatening. The speaker's personal struggle with depression and weight loss is linked to their deep concern for the environment. They critique the disparity between acknowledging climate change as a crisis and the lack of significant action to address it, emphasizing the need for immediate and drastic reductions in emissions, particularly in wealthy countries like Sweden.

05:00

🌍 The Global Impact and Inequity of Climate Change

The speaker discusses the broader implications of climate change, including the sixth mass extinction and the urgent need for climate justice. They argue for wealthier nations to reduce emissions rapidly to allow developing countries to improve their living standards without exacerbating the climate crisis. The speaker questions the lack of action despite the severity of the situation and the apparent disconnect between public awareness and the actual consequences of inaction. They also highlight the need for a sense of urgency and real change, rather than relying on hope or superficial solutions.

10:03

🔥 The Call for Immediate Climate Action

In the final paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the necessity for immediate action rather than relying on hope or positive thinking. They point out the current consumption of oil and the lack of political will to change this. The speaker argues that the rules need to change and that the current system is not sufficient to address the climate crisis. They conclude with a call to action, urging listeners to look for and initiate change rather than waiting for hope to materialize.

Keywords

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. In the video, the speaker reflects on their early awareness of climate change and questions the societal response to it, highlighting the urgency and the need for immediate action to mitigate its effects.

💡Global Warming

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature, primarily due to human emissions of greenhouse gases. The script mentions global warming as a problem created by human lifestyle, emphasizing the need to reduce emissions to prevent further warming.

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. The speaker discloses their personal struggle with depression, which was exacerbated by the overwhelming nature of the climate crisis, illustrating the emotional toll that environmental issues can have on individuals.

💡Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and repetitive behaviors. The speaker was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism, which shapes their perspective on the world and influences their direct, black-and-white view on the necessity for climate action.

💡Selective Mutism

Selective mutism is a psychological condition where a person does not speak in specific social situations despite being able to speak in other situations. The speaker mentions selective mutism as part of their condition, which is why they choose to speak only when necessary, making their speech about climate change all the more impactful.

💡Emissions

Emissions refer to the release of pollutants or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The script emphasizes the need to stop emissions to combat climate change, suggesting that there should be no gray areas when it comes to survival and that immediate action is required.

💡IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body that assesses climate change data and provides reports to policymakers. The speaker references the IPCC to highlight the importance of aiming for a 1.5-degree Celsius warming target instead of 2 degrees, showing the significance of global scientific consensus in shaping climate policy.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The script mentions the existing levels of greenhouse gases in the system, indicating that even if we stopped emitting them today, there would still be a significant warming effect.

💡Mass Extinction

Mass extinction refers to a widespread and rapid die-off of species, often caused by major environmental changes. The speaker discusses the sixth mass extinction, highlighting the current high rate of species extinction and the urgency of addressing the causes, such as human-induced climate change.

💡Climate Justice

Climate justice is the concept that the burdens and benefits of climate change should be distributed fairly. The script touches on equity and climate justice, emphasizing that rich countries should reduce emissions faster to allow poorer countries to improve their standard of living without exacerbating climate change.

💡School Strike

A school strike is a form of protest where students abstain from attending school to raise awareness about an issue. The speaker recounts their school strike for the climate, demonstrating the power of youth activism and the need for collective action to address climate change.

💡Action

Action in this context refers to the tangible steps taken to address climate change, as opposed to mere discussion or hope. The speaker concludes the script by emphasizing the necessity of action over hope, stating that hope will follow action, underscoring the urgency and practicality required in combating climate change.

Highlights

A child's perspective on climate change and the urgency of action.

The speaker's personal journey from awareness to depression due to the climate crisis.

The paradox of knowing about climate change but not acting upon it.

The speaker's diagnosis with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism.

The autistic perspective on the black and white nature of climate change.

Critique of society's hypocrisy in acknowledging climate change but not changing behavior.

The necessity for rich countries to reduce emissions drastically.

The importance of aiming for a 1.5-degree Celsius warming target.

The lack of media and leadership focus on the climate crisis.

The reality of the sixth mass extinction and its rate.

The concept of equity and climate justice in the Paris Agreement.

The responsibility of rich countries to reach zero emissions quickly.

The need for developing countries to improve their standard of living.

Questioning the lack of action despite the severity of the climate crisis.

The speaker's decision to school strike for the climate.

Critique of the focus on hope over action in climate discussions.

The call to change the rules and systems that perpetuate climate inaction.

The final message that action, not hope, is what is needed to combat climate change.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Oyama Akinori Reviewer: Peter Van de Ven

When I was about eight years old,

I first heard about something called climate change or global warming.

Apparently, that was something humans had created by our way of living.

I was told to turn off the lights to save energy

and to recycle paper to save resources.

I remember thinking that it was very strange

that humans, who are an animal species among others,

could be capable of changing the Earth's climate.

Because if we were, and if it was really happening,

we wouldn't be talking about anything else.

As soon as you'd turn on the TV, everything would be about that.

Headlines, radio, newspapers,

you would never read or hear about anything else,

as if there was a world war going on.

But no one ever talked about it.

If burning fossil fuels was so bad that it threatened our very existence,

how could we just continue like before?

Why were there no restrictions?

Why wasn't it made illegal?

To me, that did not add up.

It was too unreal.

So when I was 11, I became ill.

I fell into depression,

I stopped talking,

and I stopped eating.

In two months, I lost about 10 kilos of weight.

Later on, I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome,

OCD and selective mutism.

That basically means I only speak when I think it's necessary -

now is one of those moments.

(Applause)

For those of us who are on the spectrum,

almost everything is black or white.

We aren't very good at lying,

and we usually don't enjoy participating in this social game

that the rest of you seem so fond of.

(Laughter)

I think in many ways that we autistic are the normal ones,

and the rest of the people are pretty strange,

(Laughter)

especially when it comes to the sustainability crisis,

where everyone keeps saying climate change is an existential threat

and the most important issue of all,

and yet they just carry on like before.

I don't understand that,

because if the emissions have to stop,

then we must stop the emissions.

To me that is black or white.

There are no gray areas when it comes to survival.

Either we go on as a civilization or we don't.

We have to change.

Rich countries like Sweden need to start reducing emissions

by at least 15 percent every year.

And that is so that we can stay below a two-degree warming target.

Yet, as the IPCC have recently demonstrated,

aiming instead for 1.5 degrees Celsius

would significantly reduce the climate impacts.

But we can only imagine what that means for reducing emissions.

You would think the media and every one of our leaders

would be talking about nothing else,

but they never even mention it.

Nor does anyone ever mention

the greenhouse gases already locked in the system.

Nor that air pollution is hiding a warming

so that when we stop burning fossil fuels,

we already have an extra level of warming

perhaps as high as 0.5 to 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore does hardly anyone speak about the fact

that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction,

with up to 200 species going extinct every single day,

that the extinction rate today

is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher

than what is seen as normal.

Nor does hardly anyone ever speak about the aspect of equity or climate justice,

clearly stated everywhere in the Paris Agreement,

which is absolutely necessary to make it work on a global scale.

That means that rich countries

need to get down to zero emissions within 6 to 12 years,

with today's emission speed.

And that is so that people in poorer countries

can have a chance to heighten their standard of living

by building some of the infrastructure that we have already built,

such as roads, schools, hospitals,

clean drinking water, electricity, and so on.

Because how can we expect countries like India or Nigeria

to care about the climate crisis

if we who already have everything don't care even a second about it

or our actual commitments to the Paris Agreement?

So, why are we not reducing our emissions?

Why are they in fact still increasing?

Are we knowingly causing a mass extinction?

Are we evil?

No, of course not.

People keep doing what they do

because the vast majority doesn't have a clue

about the actual consequences of our everyday life,

and they don't know that rapid change is required.

We all think we know, and we all think everybody knows,

but we don't.

Because how could we?

If there really was a crisis,

and if this crisis was caused by our emissions,

you would at least see some signs.

Not just flooded cities, tens of thousands of dead people,

and whole nations leveled to piles of torn down buildings.

You would see some restrictions.

But no.

And no one talks about it.

There are no emergency meetings, no headlines, no breaking news.

No one is acting as if we were in a crisis.

Even most climate scientists or green politicians

keep on flying around the world, eating meat and dairy.

If I live to be 100, I will be alive in the year 2103.

When you think about the future today, you don't think beyond the year 2050.

By then, I will, in the best case, not even have lived half of my life.

What happens next?

The year 2078, I will celebrate my 75th birthday.

If I have children or grandchildren, maybe they will spend that day with me.

Maybe they will ask me about you,

the people who were around, back in 2018.

Maybe they will ask why you didn't do anything

while there still was time to act.

What we do or don't do right now will affect my entire life

and the lives of my children and grandchildren.

What we do or don't do right now,

me and my generation can't undo in the future.

So when school started in August of this year,

I decided that this was enough.

I set myself down on the ground outside the Swedish parliament.

I school striked for the climate.

Some people say that I should be in school instead.

Some people say that I should study to become a climate scientist

so that I can "solve the climate crisis."

But the climate crisis has already been solved.

We already have all the facts and solutions.

All we have to do is to wake up and change.

And why should I be studying for a future that soon will be no more

when no one is doing anything whatsoever to save that future?

And what is the point of learning facts in the school system

when the most important facts

given by the finest science of that same school system

clearly means nothing to our politicians and our society.

Some people say that Sweden is just a small country,

and that it doesn't matter what we do,

but I think that if a few children can get headlines all over the world

just by not coming to school for a few weeks,

imagine what we could all do together if you wanted to.

(Applause)

Now we're almost at the end of my talk,

and this is where people usually start talking about hope,

solar panels, wind power, circular economy, and so on,

but I'm not going to do that.

We've had 30 years of pep-talking and selling positive ideas.

And I'm sorry, but it doesn't work.

Because if it would have,

the emissions would have gone down by now.

They haven't.

And yes, we do need hope,

of course we do.

But the one thing we need more than hope is action.

Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.

So instead of looking for hope,

look for action.

Then, and only then, hope will come.

Today, we use 100 million barrels of oil every single day.

There are no politics to change that.

There are no rules to keep that oil in the ground.

So we can't save the world by playing by the rules,

because the rules have to be changed.

Everything needs to change --

and it has to start today.

Thank you.

(Applause)