Recently I’ve seen many rumors circulating about me and enormous amounts of hate. This is no surprise to me. I know that since most people are not aware of the full meaning of the climate crisis (which is understandable since it has never been treated as a crisis) a school strike for the climate would seem very strange to people in general. So let me make some things clear about my school strike. So let me make some things clear about my school strike. In may 2018 I was one of the winners in a writing competition about the environment held by Svenska Dagbladet, a Swedish newspaper. I got my article published and some people contacted me, among others was Bo Thorén from Fossil Free Dalsland. He had some kind of group with people, especially youth, who wanted to do something about the climate crisis. I had a few phone meetings with other activists. The purpose was to come up with ideas of new projects that would bring attention to the climate crisis. Bo had a few ideas of things we could do. Everything from marches to a loose idea of some kind of a school strike (that school children would do something on the schoolyards or in the classrooms). That idea was inspired by the Parkland Students, who had refused to go to school after the school shootings. I liked the idea of a school strike. So I developed that idea and tried to get the other young people to join me, but no one was really interested. They thought that a Swedish version of the Zero Hour march was going to have a bigger impact. So I went on planning the school strike all by myself and after that I didn’t participate in any more meetings. When I told my parents about my plans they weren’t very fond of it. They did not support the idea of school striking and they said that if I were to do this I would have to do it completely by myself and with no support from them. On the 20 of august I sat down outside the Swedish Parliament. I handed out fliers with a long list of facts about the climate crisis and explanations on why I was striking. The first thing I did was to post on Twitter and Instagram what I was doing and it soon went viral. Then journalists and newspapers started to come. A Swedish entrepreneur and business man active in the climate movement, Ingmar Rentzhog, was among the first to arrive. He spoke with me and took pictures that he posted on Facebook. That was the first time I had ever met or spoken with him. I had not communicated or encountered with him ever before. Many people love to spread rumors saying that I have people ”behind me” or that I’m being ”paid” or ”used” to do what I’m doing. But there is no one ”behind” me except for myself. My parents were as far from climate activists as possible before I made them aware of the situation. I am not part of any organization. I sometimes support and cooperate with several NGOs that work with the climate and environment. But I am absolutely independent and I only represent myself. And I do what I do completely for free, I have not received any money or any promise of future payments in any form at all. And nor has anyone linked to me or my family done so. And of course it will stay this way. I have not met one single climate activist who is fighting for the climate for money. That idea is completely absurd. Furthermore I only travel with permission from my school and my parents pay for tickets and accommodations. My family has written a book together about our family and how me and my sister Beata have influenced my parents way of thinking and seeing the world, especially when it comes to the climate. And about our diagnoses. That book was due to be released in May. But since there was a major disagreement with the book company, we ended up changing to a new publisher and so the book was released in august instead. Before the book was released my parents made it clear that their possible profits from the book ”Scener ur hjärtat” will be going to 8 different charities working with environment, children with diagnoses and animal rights. And yes, I write my own speeches. But since I know that what I say is going to reach many, many people I often ask for input. I also have a few scientists that I frequently ask for help on how to express certain complicated matters. I want everything to be absolutely correct so that I don’t spread incorrect facts, or things that can be misunderstood. Some people mock me for my diagnosis. But Asperger is not a disease, it’s a gift. People also say that since I have Asperger I couldn’t possibly have put myself in this position. But that’s exactly why I did this. Because if I would have been ”normal” and social I would have organized myself in an organisation, or started an organisation by myself. But since I am not that good at socializing I did this instead. I was so frustrated that nothing was being done about the climate crisis and I felt like I had to do something, anything. And sometimes NOT doing things - like just sitting down outside the parliament - speaks much louder than doing things. Just like a whisper sometimes is louder than shouting. Also there is one complaint that I ”sound and write like an adult”. And to that I can only say; don’t you think that a 16-year old can speak for herself? There’s also some people who say that I oversimplify things. For example when I say that "the climate crisis is a black and white issue”, ”we need to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases” and ”I want you to panic”. But that I only say because it’s true. Yes, the climate crisis is the most complex issue that we have ever faced and it’s going to take everything from our part to ”stop it”. But the solution is black and white; we need to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases. Because either we limit the warming to 1,5 degrees C over pre industrial levels, or we don’t. Either we reach a tipping point where we start a chain reaction with events way beyond human control, or we don’t. Either we go on as a civilization, or we don’t. There are no gray areas when it comes to survival. And when I say that I want you to panic I mean that we need to treat the crisis as a crisis. When your house is on fire you don’t sit down and talk about how nice you can rebuild it once you put out the fire. If your house is on fire you run outside and make sure that everyone is out while you call the fire department. That requires some level of panic. There is one other argument that I can’t do anything about. And that is the fact that I’m ”just a child and we shouldn’t be listening to children.” But that is easily fixed - just start to listen to the rock solid science instead. Because if everyone listened to the scientists and the facts that I constantly refer to - then no one would have to listen to me or any of the other hundreds of thousands of school children on strike for the climate across the world. Then we could all go back to school. I am just a messenger, and yet I get all this hate. I am not saying anything new, I am just saying what scientists have repeatedly said for decades. And I agree with you, I’m too young to do this. We children shouldn’t have to do this. But since almost no one is doing anything, and our very future is at risk, we feel like we have to continue. And if you have any other concern or doubt about me, then you can listen to my TED talk ( https://www.ted.com/…/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_…/up-next ), in which I talk about how my interest for the climate and environment began. And thank you everyone for you kind support! It brings me hope. /Greta Ps I was briefly a youth advisor for the board of the non profit foundation “We don’t have time”. It turns out they used my name as part of another branch of their organisation that is a start up business. They have admitted clearly that they did so without the knowledge of me or my family. I no longer have any connection to “We don’t have time”. Nor has anyone in my family. They have deeply apologised and I have accepted their apology.
Greta standing strong! I love it!
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
The right seems to not care about the planet or the future world the kids will have to deal with. They mostly care about winning. I'm generalizing, of course- there are some very decent people who lean right- but generally they are mostly concerned about their own lives and are short-sighted.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Probably not the right thread for this. And we discussed that other event at length previously. I’ll stop derailing and let this get back to Greta.
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
So what’s your better alternative? What does action look like to you? Who does it? Does it come naturally? Does it make any sense to put your faith in the “enviro PM” when he shows signs of not changing? What about when the other party is likely to do the same?
All you do is complain about what’s wrong and justify your apathy to not help fix anything.
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
So what’s your better alternative? What does action look like to you? Who does it? Does it come naturally? Does it make any sense to put your faith in the “enviro PM” when he shows signs of not changing? What about when the other party is likely to do the same?
All you do is complain about what’s wrong and justify your apathy to not help fix anything.
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
So what’s your better alternative? What does action look like to you? Who does it? Does it come naturally? Does it make any sense to put your faith in the “enviro PM” when he shows signs of not changing? What about when the other party is likely to do the same?
All you do is complain about what’s wrong and justify your apathy to not help fix anything.
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
So what’s your better alternative? What does action look like to you? Who does it? Does it come naturally? Does it make any sense to put your faith in the “enviro PM” when he shows signs of not changing? What about when the other party is likely to do the same?
All you do is complain about what’s wrong and justify your apathy to not help fix anything.
wasted energy, ben.
Point taken. I’m not a tough sell on this one
'05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
So are we more aware of all these marches? We do not need marches. Just more BS...everyone knows whats needs to be done. People who look for an answer from the government are just brainwashed.
Damn so your against marches too , ok I guess sitting on ones hands can get results too lol
The vast majority of these people at these marches used fossil fuels to get there. The time is for action not marches. And thinking the government will solve your problems will be the downfall.
In Canada our so called enviro pm is dumping 15-20 billion in a pipeline which will carry some of the worlds dirtiest oil to China. Yeah, government is good. Lol
Oh lordy, straight from the depths of Breitbart lol
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
Couldn't let it go?.... Is there some reason I shouldn't have commented and let it go? I think HFD is right, and this comparison between Thunberg and that schmuck who had a face off with a peacemaking first nations drummer is one of the more ridiculous false equivalencies the right has come up with.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
Couldn't let it go?.... Is there some reason I shouldn't have commented and let it go? I think HFD is right, and this comparison between Thunberg and that schmuck who had a face off with a peacemaking first nations drummer is one of the more ridiculous false equivalencies the right has come up with.
I’m not comparing them but your opinion of the “schmuck” is way off if you watch the entire video.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
I know you said you didn't want to derail. Maybe there's something I'm missing. I recall seeing the whole video, but I don't recall it changing my perspective on it. Maybe I'm wrong.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
Couldn't let it go?.... Is there some reason I shouldn't have commented and let it go? I think HFD is right, and this comparison between Thunberg and that schmuck who had a face off with a peacemaking first nations drummer is one of the more ridiculous false equivalencies the right has come up with.
I’m not comparing them but your opinion of the “schmuck” is way off if you watch the entire video.
I did watch the entire video. All 1 hour and 45 minutes of it in fact, and at some point I watched it again and typed out a detailed, blow by blow synopsis of the whole thing here on the board, but I don't remember what thread that was. I 100% stand behind my opinion of the schmuck after having basically studied the whole video in detail.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
I know you said you didn't want to derail. Maybe there's something I'm missing. I recall seeing the whole video, but I don't recall it changing my perspective on it. Maybe I'm wrong.
I should be more fair to you. I think you are wrong. But doesn’t mean you are
i just don’t think that kid was nearly as bad as he was made out to be. But certainly Greta doesn’t deserve the level of hatred she seems to get. Sure she is a young kid, but she seems to know a thing or 2. I wish instead of attacking, people would listen. And I’d hope she’d listen too. But even if she didn’t, she’s 16, not the adult in the room.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
Couldn't let it go?.... Is there some reason I shouldn't have commented and let it go? I think HFD is right, and this comparison between Thunberg and that schmuck who had a face off with a peacemaking first nations drummer is one of the more ridiculous false equivalencies the right has come up with.
I’m not comparing them but your opinion of the “schmuck” is way off if you watch the entire video.
I did watch the entire video. All 1 hour and 45 minutes of it in fact, and at some point I watched it again and typed out a detailed, blow by blow synopsis of the whole thing here on the board, but I don't remember what thread that was. I 100% stand behind my opinion of the schmuck after having basically studied the whole video in detail.
I watched it too. I disagree with your assessment.
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
I know you said you didn't want to derail. Maybe there's something I'm missing. I recall seeing the whole video, but I don't recall it changing my perspective on it. Maybe I'm wrong.
I shouldn’t be more fair to you. I think you are wrong. But doesn’t mean you are
i just don’t think that kid was nearly as bad as he was made out to be. But certainly Greta doesn’t deserve the level of hatred she seems to get. Sure she is a young kid, but she seems to know a thing or 2. I wish instead of attacking, people would listen. And I’d hope she’d listen too. But even if she didn’t, she’s 16, not the adult in the room.
"I shouldn't be more fair to you". can I assume you are posting from your phone again?
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
I know you said you didn't want to derail. Maybe there's something I'm missing. I recall seeing the whole video, but I don't recall it changing my perspective on it. Maybe I'm wrong.
I shouldn’t be more fair to you. I think you are wrong. But doesn’t mean you are
i just don’t think that kid was nearly as bad as he was made out to be. But certainly Greta doesn’t deserve the level of hatred she seems to get. Sure she is a young kid, but she seems to know a thing or 2. I wish instead of attacking, people would listen. And I’d hope she’d listen too. But even if she didn’t, she’s 16, not the adult in the room.
"I shouldn't be more fair to you". can I assume you are posting from your phone again?
Yeah I went back just now. Phone typing and auto correct... or maybe changed what I was saying mid sentence sorry
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
I know you said you didn't want to derail. Maybe there's something I'm missing. I recall seeing the whole video, but I don't recall it changing my perspective on it. Maybe I'm wrong.
I shouldn’t be more fair to you. I think you are wrong. But doesn’t mean you are
i just don’t think that kid was nearly as bad as he was made out to be. But certainly Greta doesn’t deserve the level of hatred she seems to get. Sure she is a young kid, but she seems to know a thing or 2. I wish instead of attacking, people would listen. And I’d hope she’d listen too. But even if she didn’t, she’s 16, not the adult in the room.
"I shouldn't be more fair to you". can I assume you are posting from your phone again?
Yeah I went back just now. Phone typing and auto correct... or maybe changed what I was saying mid sentence sorry
why is it the right hate young activists as long as they aren't racists confronting a peaceful aboriginal?
Are you referring to the episode where the left freaked out cause the kids were white?
that white racist prep school kid that stood smugly in front of that aboriginal drummer. the right demanded he be respected. now, with greta....now she's mocked.
Yeah the one you are remembering wrong after all the information was seen. You got that wrong.
what did I get wrong exactly?
Nothing.
Couldn’t let it go huh? Lots.
Couldn't let it go?.... Is there some reason I shouldn't have commented and let it go? I think HFD is right, and this comparison between Thunberg and that schmuck who had a face off with a peacemaking first nations drummer is one of the more ridiculous false equivalencies the right has come up with.
I’m not comparing them but your opinion of the “schmuck” is way off if you watch the entire video.
I did watch the entire video. All 1 hour and 45 minutes of it in fact, and at some point I watched it again and typed out a detailed, blow by blow synopsis of the whole thing here on the board, but I don't remember what thread that was. I 100% stand behind my opinion of the schmuck after having basically studied the whole video in detail.
I watched it too. I disagree with your assessment.
Fair enough.
I should mentioned that I think the anger could have been spread to more of his classmates - at least a few of them equally contributed to what culminated in that symbolic photo of the situation. The ranting religious psycho who started the whole thing got very little attention too, which isn't too fair to the schmuck either.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Comments
www.headstonesband.com
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
www.headstonesband.com
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
www.headstonesband.com
i just don’t think that kid was nearly as bad as he was made out to be. But certainly Greta doesn’t deserve the level of hatred she seems to get. Sure she is a young kid, but she seems to know a thing or 2. I wish instead of attacking, people would listen. And I’d hope she’d listen too. But even if she didn’t, she’s 16, not the adult in the room.
www.headstonesband.com
www.headstonesband.com