Greta Thunberg says world leaders’ talk on climate change is ‘blah blah blah’
clock Swedish climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg denounced the worlds so-called leaders during a speech at Italys Youth4Climate summit on Tuesday, accusing politicians of failing to act on climate change and describing their promises as 30 years of blah blah blah. Removing her mask so she could deliver an impassioned speech on the podium in Milan, 18-year-old Thunberg said that despite countries around the world vowing to meet ambitious targets, the climate crisis was continuing to escalate. Build back better, blah blah blah, she said, referencing the words of President Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who have often used the phrase when talking about their visions for the future. We can no longer let the people in power decide what hope is. Hope is not passive. Hope is not blah blah blah. Hope is telling the truth. Hope is taking action My speech at #Youth4Climate #PreCOP26 in Milan. pic.twitter.com/BA62GpST2O Thunberg also resurfaced past remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said in a warning to Congress during the Trump presidency in 2018 that there is no planet B, while calling on countries to work together to reduce carbon emissions and save the planet. Mimicking Macron during the conference Tuesday, Greta said: There is no planet B. There is no planet blah. Such words uttered by leaders, she said, sounded great but had so far led to no action. Our hopes and dreams drown in their empty words and promises, she said, addressing an audience of an estimated 400 activists ages 15 to 29. She encouraged world leaders to find a smooth transition towards a low-carbon economy. The activists at the youth summit will create a list of recommendations that will be reviewed by government officials and taken to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in November. Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate also spoke at the summit, saying that vulnerable countries were still waiting on funds of 100 billion euros, or $117 billion, that were promised by officials in 2020. Its time to show us the money. Its time, its time, its time, she said before breaking down in tears after sharing that she had recently witnessed police in Uganda removing a body from floodwaters. The younger generation has repeatedly called on those in power to meet climate targets, citing reports that deem their futures uncertain amid an ever-warming planet. A survey earlier this month found that more and more people saw climate change as a looming threat with young people particularly worried about it harming them. Activists born into the climate crisis face another challenge: Fear of the future Thunbergs blistering attack comes following a period of extreme weather that wreaked havoc globally this summer, claiming more than 150 lives during massive floods in Germany and Belgium and forcing temperatures to climb into triple digits as a heat wave swept the Western United States and Canada. In an August review of climate science, a panel from the United Nations warned that this summers extreme weather had been intensified by human-caused climate change and that heat waves, floods and fires would worsen in the coming decades. In the same report, scientists projected that the Earth could warm up to another 6 degrees by the end of this century if emissions of heat-trapping gases are not reduced. Sign up for the latest news about climate change, energy and the environment, delivered every Thursday With every additional increment of global warming, changes in extremes continue to become larger, the report said. On social media Wednesday, many praised Thunbergs speech, calling her brave and brilliant. Some critics, however, labeled her blah blah blah comments as absurd. Thunberg has long campaigned for a better future for the planet and called out politicians for not acting swiftly enough to tackle the crisis. She encouraged those listening to her speech to remain hopeful, adding that change was not only possible, but urgently necessary. COP26 is set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in November. The conference will welcome leaders, scientists and campaigners as they address the climate crisis and the goals of the Paris agreement. At COP26, officials are expected to present 2030 emission reduction targets, which include curtailing deforestation and working to phase out coal. Countries are also being asked to work toward protecting the worlds ecosystems and building defenses that protect communities impacted by climate change. A post shared by The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) Understanding our climate: Global warming is a real phenomenon , and weather disasters are undeniably linked to it . As temperatures rise, heat waves are more often sweeping the globe and parts of the world are becoming too hot to survive . What can be done? The Post is tracking a variety of climate solutions , as well as the Biden administrations actions on environmental issues . It can feel overwhelming facing the impacts of climate change, but there are ways to cope with climate anxiety . Inventive solutions: Some people have built off-the-grid homes from trash to stand up to a changing climate. As seas rise, others are exploring how to harness marine energy . What about your role in climate change? Our climate coach Michael J. Coren is answering questions about environmental choices in our everyday lives. Submit yours here. You can also sign up for our Climate Coach newsletter .