Although I have spoken in public and been on radio and television, albeit quite a while ago, I am pretty sure that I would feel somewhat overwhelmed speaking at the UN – let alone in another language. It seems to me that there is no doubt that Greta Thunberg feels passionately about climate change and there is also no doubt that the rate of change has been accelerating since the Industrial Revolution and increasingly so in the last hundred years. Of course the planet will not explode but animal life, including humans, will certainly suffer and some species, quite possibly including humans, will become extinct.
No, it is unlikely that our generation will experience the full impact, but this young woman and her generation will, as well as their yet unborn children. Of course it is frightening but to describe her speeches and protests as fear-mongering is absurd. Doesn't anyone else remember the sheer terror created by the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 when many of us were Greta's age or younger? That was short-lived and cut off. This crisis requires immediate but longer-term remedies.
I don't recognise her emotion as hatred, but as anger. I think she is especially infuriated by Donald Trump who as President of the USA and a major figure in the world should be leading the way. However, he claims that climate change is a "Chinese hoax" and is removing laws and protections about pollution, fossil fuels and other regulations that are designed for safety and well-being. I for one don't blame her.
