Jihye Ryu(유지혜 기자, SCH Times)

What did you do when you were 16 years old? Did you do something to get a worldwide attention?

What 16-year-old Greta Thunberg addressed at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit has been going viral. In her speech she didn’t plead, nor begged the world leaders and assemblies to save the Earth. Thunberg strongly criticized the leaders and adults alike for “Stealing her dreams and childhood with your empty words” and “All you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” Her last phrase “How dare you” captured perfectly the future generation’s anger for the Earth’s ruin. Not only she made a speech at the summit, but she also held “School Strike for Climate” protest constantly.

While a 16-year-old girl is trying to save the Earth, what are the “adults” doing? There are various conferences and summits discussing about climate change, and global agreements like the Paris Agreement, which is a worldwide regulation for greenhouse gases. Without a doubt, it looks like the world is trying to solve our global warming problem, but it’s not doing much good. What’s worse is that the Trump administration canceled the Paris Agreement, dismissing the severity of climate change.

Everyday there are headlines concerning melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and the extinction of certain species. Despite all of this, we seem to go on with our everyday lives oblivious to the danger and consequences of the Earth’s suffering. We have learned about the cause of climate change, and ways to alleviate it since elementary school. But we need to do much more to really save the planet. Individual efforts are important, but it is more important that we work together. Earth is OUR home after all.

Due to the aggressive tone of her speech, some have criticized Greta Thunberg. However, I consider her words more effective than any other greenhouse regulations. Inspired by her straightforward and sincere speech, many of us are already taking small steps to live more sustainably and eco-friendly. And by taking those small steps, together, we will make a progress.