Greta Thunberg: “Our politicians will not come to the rescue of planet Earth”: In 2009 countries in the developed world promised
to provide $100bn a year by 2020 to help poorer countries adapt to the
impact of the climate crisis. Nearly three years after that deadline,
even this inadequate commitment has not been honoured.

We should abandon the illusion that our politicians will come to the
rescue of planet Earth, especially those who delight in calling
themselves climate leaders. Time and again they have betrayed the faith
that has been placed in them – using greenwashing and PR strategies
disguised as politics.

But we cannot despair: the way we see and talk about the climate and
ecology crisis has shifted. A critical mass of people – especially
younger people – are demanding change and will no longer tolerate the
procrastination, denial and complacency that created this state of
emergency. I believe in democracy and in the power of collective wisdom.

It is not too late. We have a duty to help as many of our fellow
citizens as possible understand the dire situation we are in. We must
all do more to explain, inform and educate; public pressure can create
profound change.

At the age of 19, I already feel like a broken record – but we need
to keep repeating the message on climate action, constantly. For hope
begins when we open our eyes and swap the impotence of words for the
power of collective action.