https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2019-greta-thunberg
Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist, has been named Time’s Person of the Year for 2019. Thunberg is the youngest person ever to receive the award.
Thunberg’s activism began in August 2018, when she skipped school to protest outside the Swedish parliament demanding action on climate change. Her protest quickly went viral, and she has since inspired millions of people around the world to take action on climate change.
In her speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019, Thunberg delivered a powerful indictment of world leaders for their inaction on climate change. She said, “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I’m one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!”
Thunberg’s activism has had a significant impact on the global climate change movement. In 2019, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and she has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
Thunberg’s story is an inspiration to us all. She has shown us that even one person can make a difference. We must all follow her lead and take action on climate change.
The Climate Crisis
The climate crisis is the most pressing issue facing our planet today. The burning of fossil fuels is releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is causing the planet to warm. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changing plant and animal life.
If we do not take action on climate change, the consequences will be devastating. The World Bank estimates that the economic costs of climate change could reach $5 trillion per year by 2050. The World Health Organization estimates that climate change could cause 250,000 deaths per year by 2030.
We must act now to address the climate crisis. We must reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, and we must invest in renewable energy sources. We must also protect our forests and oceans, which are important carbon sinks.
Greta Thunberg’s Influence
Greta Thunberg’s activism has helped to raise awareness of the climate crisis and to push world leaders to take action. In 2019, the United Nations agreed to a new global climate agreement, the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement is a significant step forward, but we must do more to ensure that it is implemented effectively.
Thunberg’s activism has also inspired a new generation of climate activists. In 2019, millions of people around the world participated in climate strikes, demanding action on climate change. These strikes have helped to show world leaders that young people are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis.
Thunberg’s activism is a reminder that we all have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis. We must all take action to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, and we must all support policies that will help us to transition to a clean energy future.
What Can I Do to Help?
There are many things that you can do to help address the climate crisis. Here are a few ideas:
- Reduce your emissions of greenhouse gases by driving less, flying less, and eating less meat.
- Invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines.
- Support policies that will help us to transition to a clean energy future.
- Get involved in climate activism. You can volunteer for a climate organization, or you can organize your own climate strike.
The Future of the Climate Movement
The future of the climate movement is bright. Young people are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis, and they are demanding action. In 2025, the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, the first international agreement to address climate change. By 2025, we must have made significant progress in reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases and transitioning to a clean energy future.
Greta Thunberg is a role model for young people around the world. She has shown us that even one person can make a difference. We must all follow her lead and take action on climate change.
1. What is the climate crisis?
The climate crisis is the most pressing issue facing our planet today. The burning of fossil fuels is releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is causing the planet to warm. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changing plant and animal life.
2. What is Greta Thunberg doing to address the climate crisis?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who has been protesting outside the Swedish parliament every Friday since August 2018. She has also spoken at the United Nations Climate Action Summit and the World Economic Forum. Thunberg has inspired millions of people around the world to take action on climate change.
3. What can I do to help address the climate crisis?
There are many things that you can do to help address the climate crisis. Here are a few ideas:
- Reduce your emissions of greenhouse gases by driving less, flying less, and eating less meat.
- Invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines.
- Support policies that will help us to transition to a clean energy future.
- Get involved in climate activism. You can volunteer for a climate organization, or you can organize your own climate strike.
4. What is the future of the climate movement?
The future of the climate movement is bright. Young people are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis, and they are demanding action. In 2025, the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, the first international agreement to address climate change. By 2025, we must have made significant progress in reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases and transitioning to a clean energy future.
Table 1: The Effects of Climate Change
| Effect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Rising sea levels | Coastal flooding, erosion, and salinization of drinking water |
| More extreme weather events | Heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires |
| Changing plant and animal life | Loss of biodiversity, disruption of food chains, and spread of disease |
Table 2: The Economic Costs of Climate Change
| Year | Cost (trillion US dollars) |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 2 |
| 2050 | 5 |
| 2100 | 20 |
Table 3: The Health Impacts of Climate Change
| Impact | Number of deaths per year |
|---|---|
| Heat-related illnesses | 250,000 |
| Air pollution | 7 million |
| Food insecurity | 250,000 |
Table 4: What You Can Do to Help Address the Climate Crisis
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Reduce your emissions of greenhouse gases | Reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere |
| Invest in renewable energy sources | Helps to transition to a clean energy future |
| Support policies that will help us to transition to a clean energy future | Makes it easier to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases |
| Get involved in climate activism | Raises awareness of the climate crisis and pushes world leaders to take action |
