Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg believes public pressure is the key to real action on reducing climate change, but admits that it is unfair to demand the same changes from developing countries as the Western world.
Acknowledging she is not in the position to tell “overexploited countries” what to do, Ms Thunberg said the climate crisis “boils down to justice and what has already happened”.
She said the West, because of the damage it inflicted on the planet in the past, has an even bigger responsibility to compensate and make sure equity is at the heart of climate action.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, two days after police briefly detained her at a protest against a coal mine in Germany, Ms Thunberg was asked whether developing countries should use fossil fuels.
“The emissions we emit stay in the atmosphere for a long time and will continue to destabilise the biosphere for many generations to come. And, of course, not only environmental effects but also people," she said.
"So who am I to say that I have had these privileges but now others who haven’t been able to do so shouldn’t because we are facing a crisis and so on.
“We have an even bigger responsibility because to compensate and make sure that equity is at the heart of climate action.”
Ms Thunberg appeared alongside three other activists, Helena Gualinga from Ecuador, Vanessa Nakate from Uganda and Luisa Neubauer from Germany.
Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, who took part in the roundtable discussion alongside the activists, warned “attention to climate change is sliding down” the agenda.
“It is now time to ring the alarm bells,” he said. But he said there was also cause for “slight optimism”.
"Last year the amount of renewables coming to the market was record high,” added Mr Birol.
However, the change was not happening quickly enough, he said.
Ms Thunberg said real change will require mobilising a “critical mass of people”.
She came to prominence in 2018, when for almost three weeks before the Swedish election in September 2018, she skipped school to sit outside her country’s parliament with School Strike for Climate sign.
Ms Thunberg joined by more people as the days went on, with her story garnering international media attention. She returned to school after the election, but continued to miss classes on Fridays to campaign for more action on climate change.
Greta Thunberg through the years - in pictures
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
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On sale: now
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
