Greta Thunberg calls on world leaders to listen to young activists

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Greta Thunberg, who has inspired a new generation of activists to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos this year, urged world leaders to listen to young people on Tuesday.

"I'm not a person that can complain about not being heard," she said, prompting laughter from the audience at a panel session titled "Forging a Sustainable Path Towards a Common Future" on the first day of the annual WEF meeting.

Natasha Mwansa, Executive Director of Natasha Mwansa Foundation, Salvador Gomez-Colon, Founder of the Light & Hope for Puerto Rico and Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attend a session at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

"The science and voice of young people is not the centre of the conversation, but it needs to be."

Several young activists have travelled to the Swiss ski resort of Davos this year, following in Thunberg's footsteps.

Among the "climate heroes" being celebrated by the WEF are Irish teen scientist Fionn Ferreira, who created a solution for preventing micro plastics from reaching oceans.

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

They also include South African climate activist Ayakha Melithafa, 17, and Canadian Autum Peltier, who has been advocating for water conservation since she was 8 years old.

"It is about us and future generations and those who have been affected today," Thunberg said. "We need to bring the science into the conversation."

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

(Writing by Leela de Kretser; Editing by Alexander Smith)

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attends the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg attends the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse