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Thunberg calls on world leaders to listen to young activists
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Climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg, who has inspired a new generation of activists to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this year, urged world leaders to listen to young people as she warned time was running out to tackle global heating.

“I’m not a person that can complain about not being heard,” she said today, prompting laughter from the audience at a panel session titled “Forging a Sustainable Path Towards a Common Future” on the first day of the annual WEF meeting.

“But the science and voice of young people are not at the centre of the conversation... it needs to be,” said the 17-year-old. 

She also challenged political leaders and the media to listen to science as rich countries needed to get their emissions down rapidly and then help poor countries to make the necessary changes.

“Even with a one-degree centigrade increase, people are dying of climate change. Every fraction of a degree matters,” said the Swedish activist. 

Several young activists have travelled to the Swiss ski resort of Davos this year, following in Thunberg’s footsteps.

Among the “climate heroes” being celebrated by the WEF are Irish teen scientist Fionn Ferreira, who created a solution for preventing microplastics from reaching oceans.

They also include South African climate activist Ayakha Melithafa, 17, and Canadian Autum Peltier, who has been advocating for water conservation since she was eight-years-old. — Reuters

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