Climate: Greta Thunberg wants to “put pressure on the richest”

Greta Thunberg is intractable. The environmental activist wants to “put pressure on the richest” to fight against the climate crisis. This is what she said in an interview with eight international newspapers, including The world, friday 4 june. During this videoconference organized on the occasion of the release of the documentary Greta Thunberg : A Year to Change the World, the young Swede insisted on the fact that, according to her, “we cannot ask the same efforts of all, we must target the main emitters”.

The statements come almost nine months after the publication of the Oxfam and Stockholm Environment Institute report. According to this study published on September 21, 2020, the richest people – who represent 1% of humanity – emit twice as much CO₂ than the poorest half of the population. “Extreme inequalities” which Greta Thunberg is determined to tackle. “The climate crisis affects the most vulnerable the most, and those who have polluted the least,” she lamented. At this stage, the young woman of 18 considers that the commitments of the big polluters are “insufficient”.

There are technical and natural solutions.

While many countries are committed to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, their investments in fossil fuels remain significant, emphasizes The world. Also, for Greta Thunberg, who is resuming her activism after a sabbatical year, these promises are only “excuses not to act now”. And the finding is clear: in China, CO emissions₂ rose 15% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, according to a Carbon Brief study published on May 20.

According to the annual “Global Energy Review” of the International Energy Agency (IEA), released on April 20, these carbon dioxide emissions are expected to reach their second highest increase this year. The activist nevertheless rejoices that “the oil countries are starting to panic. “We still have the possibility of avoiding the worst consequences of the climate crisis”, she also assured, remaining hopeful. And to add: “There are technical and natural solutions. Above all, there are many more people ready to take action for the climate than one might think. ”