Following the recent Global Climate Strikes, we are awe inspired. Inspired by the activation of young people bringing new levels of awareness and consciousness to the climate crisis, inspired by the movement of people coming together, and inspired by those who are standing up to massive corporations – world leaders included – and demanding more urgent action. In recent monumental moments, respected global leaders continue to hold governments accountable as many countries continue to increase their response to climate change.
How dare you. 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 fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you.
Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist
The 16-year-old Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg has taken the world by storm leading the School and Global Climate Strikes. Her popularity gained momentum after she sailed across the Atlantic on an emissions-free yacht to attend the UN in New York and continues to grow by the day with no less than 5.4 million Instagram followers at present. Thunberg delivered a powerful speech directed to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit not only demanding more action and reiterating the “crystal clear” scientific warnings that are not being adequately addressed.
Shortly after her now viral speech, with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and alongside 15 other activists, Thunberg has issued a law suit against five countries that are some of the biggest contributors to climate change – Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany and Turkey. They are demanding that these countries accept their mistakes, and commit to doing better in the future. France, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have all pledged to double their contribution to the Green Climate Fund, supporting a united global response to climate change.
You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you… The world is waking up and change is coming whether you like it or not.
Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist
The world now awaits for Extinction – The Facts, a 2019 British documentary presented by the environmental legend of our time, Sir David Attenborough addressing the science and solutions to climate change. The “Attenborough Effect” has been credited for reducing 53 percent of reductions in plastic usage in the US and UK, which has also rippled to other countries around the world. His notable voice is used to praise environmental efforts and to shame those who are simply irresponsible and when he speaks, we listen.
Sir David Attenborough has educated us, and advocated for the health of the Great Barrier Reef for years. He is now being heard by Australian citizens, as he recently criticised their Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his support of the Adani Carmichael coal mine in Queensland which would easily add 4.6 billion tonnes of carbon pollution to our atmosphere. This controversy coincides with Germany and Finland declaring to be coal-free within the decade. Sir Attenborough reminds the Australian government of the importance of their role in the fight against the climate crisis.
“You are the keepers of an extraordinary section of the surface of this planet, including the Barrier Reef, and what you say, what you do, really, really matters”.
Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough and world-class actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio educate on the economic opportunities that investing in the environment affords. The green economy is credited for creating millions of jobs and massive economic opportunities, from manufactoring electric cars to solar energy projects. Given we have been warned of global food insecurity and shortages to come, the green economy should be the front and centre of big business, economic plans, infrastructure development and government investment.
Not only do Australia need to radically improve, but the US have an opportunity arising with the 2020 Presidential Election to ensure that a candidate with urgent plans to work with the rest of the world to address the climate emergency is elected. The bottom line is that we must wake up to the fact that trees are more valuable than capital and we either meet the necessary climate targets before it is too late, or money becomes obsolete. This means that we need to stand together to insist that we invest in the future of our children, to commit to cleaning up this mess that we contributed to, and to trust that in taking care of the planet, we will be taken care of.
“We have to convince bankers and big business that, in the end, the long-term future lies in having a healthy planet. And unless you do something about it … you’re going to lose your money,”
Sir David Attenborough
If you’re wondering how you can continue to be a part of the global response to the climate crisis, keep supporting. Share important news, sign important petitions, vote accordingly, and make individual efforts. This article outlines three steps that we can take to help to reverse the climate crisis today. If you want to help to stop the Adani Coal Mine, please visit this website to find out more. The coming together of such amazing people in this Plantd community and beyond gives us immense hope. Head on over to @plantd.co and comment on our post to share what fuels your environmental fire.