It’s a year today since a young Swedish girl stood alone on the steps of her nation’s parliament demanding action on climate change, a seminal moment in the climate debate.
“Greta Thunberg was just a single voice, a teenage girl who felt compelled to act. Her extraordinary determination and her courage in speaking truth to power has inspired millions of people around the world,” said the Climate Council’s CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
“Twelve months on from Greta’s first climate strike it’s interesting to reflect on why she’s been so effective. She has had extraordinary access to power, yet she is not in awe of it, nor is she intimidated by it. With Greta, there is no diplomatic posturing, no spin, no honey-tongued language. She tells the unvarnished truth about climate change,” said Ms McKenzie.
In Greta’s words: “Now is not the time for speaking politely. Solving the climate crisis is the greatest and most complex challenge that Homo sapiens have ever faced. The main solution, however, is so simple that even a small child can understand it. We have to stop our emissions of greenhouse gases.”
“Greta is an absolute inspiration and reminder of the power of one!” said Climate Councillor Professor Lesley Hughes.
“Greta has ignited the most important voice of all in the climate change challenge – the next generation. This should inspire us all to re-double our efforts to meet the Paris targets,” said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen.
And so – from Australia’s Climate Council to Greta Thunberg on the first anniversary of your climate strike – thank you for all that you have done.
–
