The young climate change activist first made headlines after scolding world leaders in an emotional speech that inspired millions of people around the globe.
Greta Thunberg has now been named as Person of the Year for 2019 by Time.
In an article explaining why Thunberg has been chosen as the Person of the Year, TIME’s editor-in-chief, Edward Felsenthal, wrote: “When she first heard about global warming as an eight-year-old, Thunberg says she thought, ‘That can’t be happening, because if that were happening, then the politicians would be taking care of it’.
“That they weren’t is precisely what motivated her to act, as it has youth the world over who are forcing us to confront the peril of our own inaction, from the student-led protests on the streets of Santiago, Chile, to the young democracy activists fighting for rights and representation in Hong Kong to the high schoolers from Parkland, Fla., whose march against gun violence Thunberg cites as an inspiration for her climate strikes.”
The Swedish activist is the youngest person ever named TIME’s Person of the Year.
Felsenthal added: “Thunberg demands action, and though far too many key measures are still moving in the wrong direction, there are nascent signs that action is coming.
“Corporate commitments to sustainable growth and net-zero emissions are on the rise. More than 60 countries have pledged to have a net carbon footprint of zero by 2050.
“American primary voters, especially in states beset by wildfires and flooding, are suddenly giving presidential candidates an earful on climate change.
“In Austria’s September elections, the Green Party more than tripled its support at the expense of the Social Democrats, a development a leader of the Social Democrats attributed to Thunberg – just before he resigned.
“Even as China burns half the world’s coal, it too is changing. It’s now home to roughly 45 percent of the electric cars and 99 percent of the electric buses in the world.”
Congratulations, Greta!
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments section! SHARE this with your friends and family and don’t forget to FOLLOW our page for more stories and news!
Replaced!