Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot make short film on the climate crisis

Summary

Greta Thunberg highlights the urgent need for action in the face of climate breakdown and mass extinction. She urges that, while stopping fossil fuel use is crucial, natural solutions like trees, mangroves, and other ecosystems are key to reversing environmental damage. She stresses the need to protect, restore, and fund nature-based solutions, which receive only a small fraction of global funding compared to fossil fuels. Greta calls on individuals to take action by supporting leaders who defend nature, spreading awareness, and joining global movements to ensure a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 😀 We are at the beginning of a mass extinction due to climate change and the breakdown of our environment.
• 😀 Greta Thunberg emphasizes that children are sacrificing their education to protest for climate action.
• 😀 While fossil fuel reduction is important, it is not enough on its own to solve the climate crisis.
• 😀 Natural climate solutions, such as trees, mangroves, peat bogs, and kelp forests, play a crucial role in carbon sequestration.
• 😀 Nature-based solutions could make a significant impact, but fossil fuel use must also be drastically reduced.
• 😀 Current global spending is heavily skewed toward fossil fuel subsidies, with natural climate solutions receiving just 2% of climate-related funds.
• 😀 Despite their potential, natural solutions are largely ignored while we destroy ecosystems at an alarming rate.
• 😀 Up to 200 species go extinct every day, and much of the natural world, including Arctic ice and wild animals, is disappearing.
• 😀 The three key actions needed to tackle the climate crisis are: PROTECT, RESTORE, and FUND nature.
• 😀 Protecting ecosystems, restoring damaged areas, and funding nature-positive projects are essential for climate recovery.
• 😀 Everyone can contribute by voting for pro-nature policies, spreading awareness, and joining movements fighting for nature's preservation.

Q & A

What is the main message Greta Thunberg conveys in the video?

Greta Thunberg emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change and advocates for using natural climate solutions like trees, mangroves, and coral reefs to help repair the climate. She also calls for a shift in funding away from fossil fuels to support nature-based solutions.

What is a natural climate solution, and can you provide examples?

Natural climate solutions are processes in nature that help absorb and lock away carbon from the atmosphere. Examples include trees, mangroves, peat bogs, jungles, marshes, seabeds, kelp forests, swamps, and coral reefs.

Why does Greta emphasize the need to protect, restore, and fund natural climate solutions?

Greta calls for the protection, restoration, and funding of natural climate solutions because they can significantly reduce carbon emissions and help restore ecosystems that are vital for sustaining life on Earth. These solutions are more cost-effective and sustainable in comparison to relying on fossil fuels.

What is the problem with the current global spending on climate solutions?

Currently, there is an imbalance in funding, as global fossil fuel subsidies are 1000 times higher than investments in natural climate solutions. Only 2% of the funds allocated for tackling climate change are directed toward natural-based solutions.

How does the current destruction of nature impact the planet?

The destruction of nature, including deforestation, extinction of species, and degradation of ecosystems, accelerates climate breakdown. Greta mentions that up to 200 species go extinct daily, much of the Arctic ice is melting, and essential ecosystems like soil and wildlife are rapidly disappearing.

What role do tropical forests play in climate regulation?

Tropical forests are crucial for regulating the climate as they absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide. However, they are being cut down at an alarming rate of 30 football pitches per minute, which disrupts their ability to function as carbon sinks and exacerbates climate change.

What actions does Greta suggest individuals can take to combat climate change?

Greta urges individuals to vote for leaders who defend nature, share the message about natural climate solutions, and join global movements that are fighting for the protection and restoration of nature.

What is the significance of the funding disparity between fossil fuels and natural climate solutions?

The funding disparity means that more money is being allocated to activities that harm the environment, like fossil fuel use, rather than supporting solutions that protect and restore nature. This misallocation of funds hampers efforts to combat climate change effectively.

Why does Greta mention the current loss of biodiversity, including species extinction and loss of soil?

Greta highlights the loss of biodiversity as a critical issue because it weakens ecosystems that help regulate the climate. The disappearance of species, the loss of soil, and the melting of ice further contribute to the destabilization of the planet's climate systems.

What does Greta mean by 'everything counts' and 'what you do, counts'?

Greta encourages individuals to recognize their personal responsibility in combating climate change. She emphasizes that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the global effort to protect the environment, restore ecosystems, and fund sustainable solutions.