There are a lot of discussions, pictures and memes
circulating social media for the past year, that are mainly focusing on
politicians, Brexit, Donald Trump and other celebrities.
However, one person
that does not fit in the above categories and has made the whole world talking,
is a 16-year-old from Sweden.
Greta Thunberg, the daughter of two Swedish celebrities,
became known for her activism in her home country in August 2018 at the age of
15. She started sitting out the Swedish Parliament with a sign saying, “School
strike for Climate,” yet soon she was not alone.
Together with other students from other communities,
they have organized the Fridays for Future Movement, a school climate strike.
That movement became global and after Greta’s 2018 UN Climate Change Conference
speech, student strikes are taking place every week somewhere in the world,
involving millions of participants.
One would have thought that the achievements of this
young lady would inspire and be applaudable, however she also attracts scores
of negative comments and publications around her image, cause, age and
disabilities.
It is a pity that so many people cannot see the good
that can come out of her initiative. Over the past few months that I have been
following Greta’s presence in social media, I came across numerous articles,
comments and memes, claiming that climate change is not real, that she is
funded by George Soros, or even more disturbingly making fun of her Asperger’s
syndrome, her looks and speech abilities.
I won’t even bother commenting on the later, malicious
commentary; however, it is evident that Greta has hit a nerve in many. It is either
a fear of change that leads to denial, perhaps coupled with vested interests
that hide behind the intentions of such individuals. Or perhaps it is simply
envy; a young girl with disabilities, have managed to sit face to face with
many world leaders and address them.
Instead of applauding, they chose to slander. I
personally have a niece and in all honesty if I would like her to be inspired
by anyone and choose a role model, I would prefer if that was Greta and not
someone from “Love Island” or any other reality TV program, that shamefully promote
a distorted cause for fame.
And I find it very peculiar how some are skeptical
about the funding she gets to engage in her activism. Obviously, she receives
funding from somewhere, otherwise how could she at that age, cross the Atlantic
on a boat? Her parents are celebrities in her home country, so from that aspect, it should be easy for her to attract investments, never mind her newfound fame.
But if this is what we should be focusing on, then why
don’t we do the same for her critics and in fact all our politicians? We do not
really seek to know who funds any of our elected representatives or journalists,
knowing the fact that all electoral campaigns are partially privately funded,
and all journalists are getting paid by someone.
Additionally, even if for one moment we accept that
climate change is not as serious as some think and calls like Greta’s are in
vain, well would it harm anyone to switch to more environmentally friendly
industries and finally live more harmoniously with our planet’s ecosystem?
Besides, science and evidence do not lie, however let
us for one moment entertain the skeptics. Must we only change our industries
and way of life, if the climate change is man-made, I wonder.
Since we have found alternatives to our energy needs,
or ways to reduce our one-use plastic addiction, pollution and irresponsible
wastage of our natural resources, then why we should be compelled to do
something about it, only if we are convinced that climate change will destroy
us.
Thus, it comes apparent that it is her critics that
should be scrutinized of their intentions and funding. They could be simply
trolls that target a young ambitious girl with disabilities, or maybe people
who fear the change she brings with her actions in all levels.
Imagine if all young people followed her example, if
industries were forced to change to more environmentally friendly practices or
if we collectively stopped eating meat, traveling by plane, etc. Our whole economic
model would have to be altered and that is not only frightening to some, but it
will also be devastating to their pockets.
In addition, Greta’s success could mean a more engaged
and vigilant future generation, socially, politically and environmentally that
would send shivers down the spines of many of our elites, that are used to make
decisions unchallenged, promoting the financial interests of the few.
On the other hand, Greta’s haters can simply be
losers. Underachievers, that envy the drive and success of this young girl,
because she simply reminds them of all the chances they did not take, all the
times they should really have made a stand and express their ideas without
fear, but they didn’t. Yet she not only did, but succeeded in it.
Greta Thunberg has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize
and is personally liaising with many world leaders, scientists and academics.
If only every each of us have decided to make a difference in this world, in
any way we thought most appropriate, perhaps we would not be bothered by Greta’s
actions, rather be focusing on our own very causes.
She is calling for a radical change in all levels in
our society, politics, economy and lifestyle; that is terrifying for sure and
that is why many chose to try and keep her quiet. However, one thing is even
more terrifying and that is a future where Greta was right about everything and
the world chose not to listen, but mock and silence her.
Finally, we don’t have to adopt all of Greta’s vision
for the future. If each one of us made just a small change in their lifestyle,
if the only promise we made was to manage our resources better and limit our
impact and pollution in our environment, then ultimately it would be for our
own benefit, not Greta’s.