teenLook #8 - March 2020 - Faith Noble Cover

Greta Thunberg speaks
during a session at the
European Parliament on
April 16, 2019.
Photo credits : FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP
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The other and a probably
more accepted argument for
the change is our constant
and increased dependence
of fossil fuels as an energy
source. We cannot survive
without a source of energy,
that is a fact. The whole
movement to address the
global warming crisis we are
facing is directed at curbing
our use of fossil fuels and
finding alternative sources
of energy. Again, this is not a
new concept and has been a
debated and critical issue for
decades. So, is there anything
wrong with addressing the
climate change crisis? Of
course not. It’s something
that people have been doing
for decades and will continue
to do in the years to come.
Let’s take a look at what
Greta Thunberg is debating.
She is a 17-year old teen
environmental activist
from Sweden who started
a campaign bringing the
dilemma of global warming
international recognition —
and was instantly praised
for her courage and passion.
Even I have to admit that
when I heard her speaking
at the 2018 United Nations
Climate Change Conference,
I was moved. Her passion was
mesmerizing. But was what
she was saying anything
new? Not entirely. Even still, it
brought an awakening to the
global community to start
being serious about a change
and pressing for more action.
The words of wisdom coming
from this young lady were
profound. As most teens
are aware, many grownups
don’t like taking advice
from a child. This is evident
with the divide of positive
and negative supporters of
the Greta movement. The
Russian Pundits seemed to
deem her insight and words,
that merely of a child, and
not very well informed. Even
President Donald Trump
snubbed her as childlike
and mocked her speech.
While some can agree that
her address may have been
overly dramatic and slightly
exaggerated, I hope we still
can admire her courage and
tenacity at the moment.
Could we honestly say that
we would have the same
courage to get up and deliver
a speech like that? She had
the attention of the whole
world, and we were eager to
see what would develop next.
Greta went on through 2018-
2019 to be acknowledged
and to win numerous awards
for her work. Being named
Time’s top 25 influential
teenagers in 2018 and then in
2019 as the top 100 influential
people and going on to be
teenlook | march