Climate activist Greta Thunberg told the world’s political and business leaders Tuesday that the global movement sparked by her school strike was only the very beginning in the fight against global warming and much more has to be done.
“It wasn’t only me, but all these young people pushing together ... to form these alliances,” the Swedish teenager said, speaking at a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos with other young activists. “People are more aware now... climate and environment are a hot topic now.”
However, Thunberg said, the struggle against climate change will require more than just general awareness.
"We are all fighting for the environment and climate. If you see it from a bigger perspective, basically nothing has been done. It will require much more than this. This is just the very beginning,” she said, adding that everyone needs to listen more to the science regarding climate change and the heating of the planet.
“Without treating it as a real crisis we cannot solve it.”
The "climate heroes" being celebrated by the WEF include Irish teen scientist Fionn Ferreira, who created a solution for preventing micro plastics from reaching oceans.
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.
"The science and voice of young people is not the centre of the conversation, but it needs to be," said Thunberg.
"It is about us and future generations and those who have been affected today," added Thunberg. "We need to bring the science into the conversation."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, REUTERS)
