Greta Thunberg’s ‘How dare you?’ — A major moment for climate movement – World

Its imperative "How dare you?" For world leaders at the UN, the role of Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg as the leading spokesperson of her generation on climate change, the culmination of a year of relentless persecution, say those who know her.

Read: Angry Thunberg tells the UN climate summit & # 39; you have stolen my dreams & # 39;

Although his words did not seem to move the leaders who spoke after her, his speech of only four and a half minutes went viral immediately, accumulating tens of thousands of actions and comments on social networks.

Thunberg's dominant state in the climate movement is easy to explain, say those who met the 16-year-old high school student, who is taking a year off from her studies.

"She has done something that seems so unusual: a school strike. School is something very important for children around the world," said Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International.

Thunberg started strikes alone in Stockholm, with just one signal, in August 2018.

The simplicity of their actions quickly caught the attention of the world, and a year later, strikes are taking place in many countries, driven by social networks.

"She is very clear on how she speaks, and I think her words at the summit were words that many people feel," Morgan added.

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, agreed and told AFP that Greta "speaks so loudly that we must listen."

Thunberg's way of speaking, brief, blunt and backed by well-chosen scientific data points, contrasts sharply with the style of his peers, as was evident during the weekend during a youth summit.

Some of the young activists already speak as their elders, reciting long texts without nuances.

The uniqueness of Thunberg's speech, sometimes reserved, and sometimes blunt, comes in part from Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism that, according to the teenager, has made it very direct.

"The entire movement she helped inspire, and her speech yesterday, are playing an important role in the long-term task of changing the spirit of the time," said Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, an international environmental organization which has been active in climate protests.

"Our sense of what is normal, natural and appropriate is changing, and changing faster now due to the work that Greta is doing," added the environmentalist, who met Thunberg in Washington and New York.

The voice of science

Like young Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for girls' education, or American student and Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg, who advocates gun control, Thunberg has been accused of being manipulated to promote a diary.

She responded to the accusations on her Facebook page: "There is no one & # 39; behind & # 39; of me, except me".

"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 their opinion," he wrote.

His team shared with AFP the names of reputable scientists whom you have consulted. They include: Johan Rockstrom, Stefan Rahmstorf, Kevin Anderson, Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Glen Peters and others.

"I am convinced that she writes most of her speeches herself, even if she has them reviewed," said Belgian climatologist Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, who maintains regular contact with Thunberg and his father.

About last week's messages, he helped Thunberg clarify a point before she testified at the United States Congress.

Kevin Anderson, from the University of Manchester, echoed the same feelings: "I am sure Greta writes her own speeches, but properly verifies the soundness of the facts, the scientific statements and any use of numbers with a range of specialists in those particular areas. "

For McKibben, Thunberg's skills are obvious: "If you sat her and President Trump for 10 minutes and had a basic discussion of planetary physics and chemistry, who do you think would prevail?" he asked with admiration.

Of course, Thunberg does not travel alone. Her father, former actor and producer Svante Thunberg, accompanies her, as well as a long-time family friend.

Callum Grieve, from the Every Breath Matters organization, was also with her in Washington.

Thunberg also has help managing the flood of invitations and interview requests. Climate-oriented communications companies Climate Nexus and GSCC help manage media inquiries, free of charge.

Multiple NGOs work with Thunberg to coordinate events, such as 350.org, which sends invitations.

"She doesn't have large NGOs behind her. She is her own person," said Kim Bryan, the spokeswoman for 350.org.

Greenpeace Sweden also helped Thunberg during the winter by providing food and support, Morgan said, but nothing more than that.

"She knows she can call us, but she is very her own personality," Morgan said.

"That's pure Greta."