Who is and what is the girl who is shaking the world – 07/04/2019

With her hair still braided and her face round, the Swede Greta Thunberg (16 years old) went from the "invisible girl" to which nobody paid attention, to become a real global icon. His photo is on the cover of major newspapers and magazines (from the New York Times or the Financial Times to Rolling Stone magazine). Her name is chanted during student demonstrations because she is admired by young people around the world., who follow what he says literally. Thepoliticians from powerful countries want to knowbut she treats them with disdain. Belgian minister had to resign after criticizing. That's the figure of the moment.

It all started last August with a simple act: sitting in front of the Swedish Parliament with a sign painted on a used cardboard "School strike for the weather". An infrequent heat wave swept through Sweden, causing forest fires never seen before. Greta had heard that students from a Florida school (Parkland School), where a terrible mbadacre had taken place, had gone on strike to protest the sale of semi-automatic rifles. And as in his country there were parliamentary elections, the strike seemed like a good way to put the issue of global warming on the agenda. But the politicians pbaded by him and, of course, did not pay attention to him.

Greta went on strike every day for three weeksuntil elections are held. And then, he started doing demonstrations only on Fridays. Thus, the Fridays movement for the future is born, almost involuntarily, and with strikes and student demonstrations, it shakes the whole world. The demonstrations have been reproduced in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, England … And they even came here. Sometimes in a mbadive way, sometimes less. In the process Greta has managed to become the voice of a generation that will touch the worst of history if the temperature rise does not stop.

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Why should children demonstrate against climate change? Live in an exclusive interview for Argentina. "I think this phenomenon is global. the climate crisis has never been treated as a crisismost have no idea of ​​the situation in which we find ourselves. Many know that something is wrong and that it is very serious. But the vast majority do not know how bad things are and what the consequences are, "he says.

Do you think your generation is doomed?

No, we are not yet sentenced. But we have only 11 years to stop an irreversible chain reactionout of our control (NdR: this is what a report of the United Nations Scientific Committee, called IPCC, concluded last year). Meanwhile, huge changes have had to take place. Starting today, Rich countries like mine should start reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 15% a year. Therefore, the challenge is huge. But it always depends on us. We always have the option.

From the corner to the glory. It is precisely because of its popularity that it is difficult to get an interview with Greta. Just answer the questions on Friday and you have to stand in line and be patient because the queue is long. She herself can not believe what happens to her after growing up as a lonely girl. In your Twitter account, reveal why. He says: "16 years old with sprinkle" This diagnosis reached him at eleven o'clock when he sank into a deep depression. He stopped eating, telling and even growing up to his parents' despair.

Greta comes from a family of artists. His grandfather, Otho Thunberg, is a well-known director in Sweden. His father, Svante Thunberg, is an actor. And his mother, Malena Emman, is a well-known opera singer. As the mother flew very often by plane and that she was very concerned about the amount of emissions produced at each tour, she ended up convincing her to stop making intercontinental trips.

Greta he also converted to veganism by the large imprint that the methane produced by livestock produces in the warming of the atmosphere.

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Should everyone be vegan? In a country like Argentina, this may sound pretty shocking …

I never tell anyone what to do. But if we want to stay below a temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius (NdR: to exceed this limit would have irreversible consequences, according to ONU), that That's one of the many things we need to do. But veganism or stop stealing, these are voluntary decisions. Whatever the case may be, eating less meat will help prevent a global warming flight.

Tell me a little about a day in your life …

It changes constantly. But Most of the time, I get up at 6 am and go to school. Then I do my homework and other things. I try to respond to media once a week on Fridays. But my activity is growing and my time is very limited. It's great in many ways, but also a lot of work.

"Fossil fuels must remain underground, fracking is a total madness."

Panic Greta's popularity became untenable last December, when she traveled to Katovice, Poland, for the United Nations climate meeting. And then at the Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the world's richest and most influential businessmen meet politicians every year. It took 32 hours by train to reach this alpine town. And then he stayed in a tent, in the snow, instead of stopping at a hotel. There, he said an incredible sentence: "Adults continue to say that we owe hope to young peopleFrowning and playing clumsily with his notes, he added: "But I do not want your hope. I do not want them to have hope. I want them to panic"

Now politicians do not ignore it: it ignores them. Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, wanted to meet her. The Secretary-General of the United NationsAntonio Guterres, He invited him to address the General Assembly in New York.. It will be in September and she will travel on a freighter from Sweden. Three Norwegian parliamentarians nominated her as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Why do they all want to be close to her? Simple: for its global influence and its clear and articulated message.

Greta discovered that humans are altering physical relationships in the atmosphere by burning oil, gas, and coal, causing a dramatic change in the climate around the world. You still can not believe why this issue has not yet become a political priority, as scientists warn of the phenomenon for thirty years.

You seemed very confident when you spoke in front of people in Poland or Davos. Did they hear you? Or did they just take for a pretty girl?

I think some people have listened. I continue to receive invitations in places that have not talked about these issues before. But there is still a great barrier to overcome.

Some people think that Argentina should give priority to development before the climate issue because we are very poor. What would you say?

We must realize that everyone needs to change. Businesses, governments and individuals. The larger your platform, the greater your responsibility. The larger your carbon footprint, the greater your moral duty. Of course, the richest countries, such as the United States, Germany, France, Australia and Sweden, need to start with the priority because it is expected that the Paris agreement. But I think that if a country like Argentina was first and had really started with bold and radical climate policies, it would have a very important impact on the rest of the world.. Look at Costa Rica (NdR: the country decided to completely abandon the oil in 2050). I am surprised that there are not more countries taking advantage of this unique opportunity to become the world leaders of tomorrow.

Why do you think people are not angry at climate change? Do not you understand what's at stake?

Yes, my experience is that even most politicians are not aware of the situation. We all failed. But in a way, some much more than others.

Argentina has a huge reserve of shale gas, called Vaca Muerta. People think that if we do not exploit it, we are fools. What would you say?

If we want to preserve the living conditions of future generations of climate and avoid an irreversible chain reaction outside human control, fossil fuels must remain in the basement.

Should children protest against fracking, shale gas extraction technique?

Absolutely. Fracturing is a madness.

It is an election year in Argentina. What should be the message of youth to all politicians?

That's a new way of thinking is necessary. The only way to do this is to start treating the crisis as a crisis. Declaring an international emergency would be a good start.

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