Why you should be a climate activist | Luisa Neubauer

Summary

A young geography student recounts how learning the science of climate change transformed them from a bystander into an activist. Disillusioned by weak political action after the Paris Agreement and alarmed by worsening climate data, they joined Greta Thunberg’s strike at a UN conference and helped launch Fridays For Future in Berlin. They argue the crisis demands a mass, intergenerational response and lay out four practical first steps: broaden the definition of a climate activist, leave zones of convenience, build collective power, and take responsibility seriously. The talk is a rallying call to mobilize everywhere for an urgent climate revolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker never planned to become a climate activist, but after learning about the climate crisis, they felt compelled to take action.
• 🌍 The speaker highlights the urgency of the climate crisis, stressing that humanity is the most destructive force on the planet.
• 📊 After studying the science of climate change, the speaker realized how fast the planet is heading toward disaster, with alarming CO2 levels and increasing temperatures.
• 🌱 The Paris Agreement was a step in the right direction, but its effectiveness has been limited, with governments and industries continuing business as usual.
• 🔥 The speaker calls attention to the fact that the five hottest years ever recorded have all occurred recently, and global emissions are at an all-time high.
• ✊ Frustrated by the lack of real action, the speaker joined Greta Thunberg’s climate strike, feeling that the future of the planet rests on the shoulders of young people.
• ⚡ The speaker and their allies started the 'Fridays for Future' movement with little resources, but quickly gained momentum through mass texting and grassroots organizing.
• 🌍 Climate activism is not limited to a few individuals but should be a global, collective effort involving people from all walks of life.
• 🛑 The speaker urges people to move beyond individual actions like cycling or eating less meat, and instead engage in political action and hold companies and governments accountable.
• 🤝 Joining forces is essential for the success of climate activism—strength lies in numbers, and the more people involved, the harder it is for the system to ignore them.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking climate activism seriously, as institutional change requires collective effort, courage, and responsibility from individuals and communities alike.

Q & A

Why did the speaker become a climate activist?

The speaker never planned to become a climate activist but was deeply impacted by learning about the science of climate change. After studying the data and realizing the severity of the crisis, they decided to take action, especially after witnessing the lack of effective response from political leaders and industries.

What was the speaker's initial reaction when learning about the greenhouse effect?

At 13 years old, the speaker was irritated by how the greenhouse effect was presented in a single geography lesson. They felt that such an important issue deserved more attention than it was given.

What did the speaker learn about climate change after studying geography?

Upon studying geography, the speaker was shocked by the scale of the climate crisis. They learned that humanity was rapidly heading toward a self-made disaster and understood the urgency of addressing issues like CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

How did the speaker feel about the Paris Agreement?

Although the Paris Agreement was presented as a historic moment, the speaker felt disappointed afterward. They saw that the agreement's promises were not followed through, with industries and political leaders continuing business as usual, ignoring the urgent need to stop the climate crisis.

What was the speaker’s experience at the UN Climate Conference?

The speaker attended the UN Climate Conference to observe the situation firsthand and was disheartened by the influence of fossil fuel industries and political leaders who were preventing real change. This led them to join Greta Thunberg’s climate strike at the conference.

What did the speaker’s first climate strike involve?

The speaker’s first climate strike took place at the UN Climate Conference, where they joined Greta Thunberg in protest. Despite being surrounded by conference delegates who ignored them, the speaker felt a sense of empowerment and realized the need to strike in Germany as well.

What does the speaker say about young people and climate activism?

The speaker emphasizes that while young people and school strikers like themselves play an important role, this crisis cannot be solved by one generation alone. They call for a global movement, where people of all ages become part of the solution.

What four steps does the speaker recommend for becoming a climate activist?

The speaker outlines four essential steps: 1) Reframe the understanding of who can be a climate activist, emphasizing that anyone can be part of the movement; 2) Leave the zone of convenience and take responsibility in personal and professional life; 3) Join forces with others to increase impact; and 4) Take oneself seriously and take proactive action.

What is the speaker's view on the current efforts to combat climate change?

The speaker believes that while there have been positive developments like renewable energy installations, progress is far too slow. Despite the Paris Agreement’s goals, the situation continues to worsen, with record-breaking emissions and global temperatures.

What does the speaker mean by a 'climate revolution'?

The speaker refers to a 'climate revolution' as the necessary transformation of economies and systems to decarbonize by 2050. This revolution would require a radical shift, the likes of which have not been seen since the Industrial Revolution, and must happen in an incredibly short timeframe.