That awkward moment of silence when a teenager tells you you've set the planet on fire.
Right "To Their Faces," 16-Year-Old Greta Thunberg Tells Davos Elite Climate Crisis Their Fault
"Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to make unimaginable amounts of money, and I think many of you here today belong to that group of people."
Sixteen-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg just told a group of the elite gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum--as they were seated just feet away from her--that they are among those directly responsible for the climate crisis.
"It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order to get filthy rich."
-- Naomi KleinSpeaking Thursday before a panel that included U2 frontman Bono, former United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres, acclaimed conservationist Jane Goodall, and panel host and billionaire Marc Benioff, Thunberg echoed themes from a video she created to share with Davos-goers.
"Some people say that that the climate crisis is something that we all have created. But that is not true--because if everyone is guilty, then no one is to blame. And someone is to blame," Thunberg said to the peope in the room. "Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to make unimaginable amounts of money, and I think many of you here today belong to that group of people."
Her statement was followed by silence until Bono began applauding. Other audience members and panelists then followed suit.
The teen activist shared the moment on Twitter:
Journalist and climate activist Naomi Klein applauded Thunberg's bravery, writing on Twitter: "It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order [to] get filthy rich."
It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order get filthy rich. @GretaThunberg did that. She's 15. https://t.co/66koheOsUq
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) January 24, 2019
Speaking to CNN Business about the talk, Thunberg said, "It was pretty fun."
"I think it's very insane and weird that people come here in private jets to discuss climate change. It's not reasonable," Thunberg--who arrived at the gathering by train and has been sleeping in a tent--told the outlet.
Benioff also shared clips of some of the others on the panel speaking, including Goodall:
On Friday, the last day of the forum, Thunberg continued her criticism of the Davos attendees in an address that demanded action above all else from the world's so-called leaders. "I want you to act as you would in a crisis," she said. "I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Sixteen-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg just told a group of the elite gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum--as they were seated just feet away from her--that they are among those directly responsible for the climate crisis.
"It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order to get filthy rich."
-- Naomi KleinSpeaking Thursday before a panel that included U2 frontman Bono, former United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres, acclaimed conservationist Jane Goodall, and panel host and billionaire Marc Benioff, Thunberg echoed themes from a video she created to share with Davos-goers.
"Some people say that that the climate crisis is something that we all have created. But that is not true--because if everyone is guilty, then no one is to blame. And someone is to blame," Thunberg said to the peope in the room. "Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to make unimaginable amounts of money, and I think many of you here today belong to that group of people."
Her statement was followed by silence until Bono began applauding. Other audience members and panelists then followed suit.
The teen activist shared the moment on Twitter:
Journalist and climate activist Naomi Klein applauded Thunberg's bravery, writing on Twitter: "It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order [to] get filthy rich."
It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order get filthy rich. @GretaThunberg did that. She's 15. https://t.co/66koheOsUq
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) January 24, 2019
Speaking to CNN Business about the talk, Thunberg said, "It was pretty fun."
"I think it's very insane and weird that people come here in private jets to discuss climate change. It's not reasonable," Thunberg--who arrived at the gathering by train and has been sleeping in a tent--told the outlet.
Benioff also shared clips of some of the others on the panel speaking, including Goodall:
On Friday, the last day of the forum, Thunberg continued her criticism of the Davos attendees in an address that demanded action above all else from the world's so-called leaders. "I want you to act as you would in a crisis," she said. "I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is."
Sixteen-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg just told a group of the elite gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum--as they were seated just feet away from her--that they are among those directly responsible for the climate crisis.
"It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order to get filthy rich."
-- Naomi KleinSpeaking Thursday before a panel that included U2 frontman Bono, former United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres, acclaimed conservationist Jane Goodall, and panel host and billionaire Marc Benioff, Thunberg echoed themes from a video she created to share with Davos-goers.
"Some people say that that the climate crisis is something that we all have created. But that is not true--because if everyone is guilty, then no one is to blame. And someone is to blame," Thunberg said to the peope in the room. "Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to make unimaginable amounts of money, and I think many of you here today belong to that group of people."
Her statement was followed by silence until Bono began applauding. Other audience members and panelists then followed suit.
The teen activist shared the moment on Twitter:
Journalist and climate activist Naomi Klein applauded Thunberg's bravery, writing on Twitter: "It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order [to] get filthy rich."
It takes deep courage to go to Davos and tell the masters-of-the-universe *to their faces* that they knowingly torched the planet in order get filthy rich. @GretaThunberg did that. She's 15. https://t.co/66koheOsUq
-- Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) January 24, 2019
Speaking to CNN Business about the talk, Thunberg said, "It was pretty fun."
"I think it's very insane and weird that people come here in private jets to discuss climate change. It's not reasonable," Thunberg--who arrived at the gathering by train and has been sleeping in a tent--told the outlet.
Benioff also shared clips of some of the others on the panel speaking, including Goodall:
On Friday, the last day of the forum, Thunberg continued her criticism of the Davos attendees in an address that demanded action above all else from the world's so-called leaders. "I want you to act as you would in a crisis," she said. "I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is."