GRETA THUNBERG:
Climate Change Crusader
By Trevor K. McNeil
The “Aggressive” Approach of Greta Thunberg: Greta was born 1/3/03. She said in a recent interview, “I was diagnosed with Asberger’s Syndrome, COD, and selective mutism. That basically means I only speak when I think its necessary. Now is one of those times.”
Climate Activism
Climate change news generally brings a mixed response. Climate activists are either saints or lunatics, largely depending on one’s alignment on the political compass. Those on the political Left trend towards the first descriptor, those on the political Right the other. Such is the case with Greta Thunberg. Conservatives dismissing her as a stupid, emotional, misguided child and Liberals, for the most part, embracing her as the best hope for the future.
In A Teenager’s Brain
The Conservatives, as usual, are wrong. For a teenager to be emotional means nothing. All teenagers are more emotional, at least more so than adults. It is in their brain chemistry, the process of maturation causing the brain to physically change. The brains of teenagers are literally different from those of adults. One of the results of this difference is that teenagers can have a drive unseen in adults.
Symptoms Of Her Diagnosis
In addition to her teenage brain, Greta exhibits a commonality with people diagnosed with Asberger’s Syndrome. Most particularly the development of an all-consuming interest in a specific subject. These factors are positives when it comes to being an international climate activist. Beginning when she was 8 Greta became obsessed with climate change and climate change news. She began at home, literally forcing her parents to change their activities to cut the family’s carbon foot print.
Take Any Advantage You Can
Greta Thunberg’s age does seem an advantage. Teenager’s have incredible resilience. They are rarely discouraged, once seriously motivated. Teens are indefatigable when fighting for a cause, or a belief. And every teen wants a “cause” to fight for, to die for. Rarely discouraged, teens prove admirable when sticking to a movement, no matter how hard it might get.
The Evidence Is Everywhere
In some ways the battle is ridiculous. Climate change is everywhere. It is already effecting crop production. It has caused mass immigration from Central America to more prosperous countries. The potential displacement of entire populations from low-lying areas is predictable, and imminent.
Lack Of Consensus
Many conservatives will and have tried to bring up the “lack of consensus” on human caused climate change. Total absurdity. Kelly Craft our new U.N. Ambassador thinks, “both sides have valid points”. A bit of an odd stance considering that the American Association of Petroleum Geologists agrees that human activity is adding to climate change. Let me repeat that, the Petroleum Geologist’s agree that human caused climate change is happening.
Definitions
Is Greta Thunberg a saint? No. Very few human beings meet the standards for this description, even in the secular sense. It is too early to tell if she is going to be a martyr. Honestly, it would be best if she never does, because one of the qualifications for martyrdom is that the person die violently, usually at the hands of their enemies. What Greta Thunberg is, or at least has the potential to be, is something Climate Change Activists have never really had before. A charismatic advocate. A compelling voice for the movement.
Kids Keep Getting Older
I’m not just speaking in terms of someone speaking up for the environment, but one who can draw attention, take on governments, and be a galvanizing figure around which others can organize themselves. There will, of course, be claims that Thunberg is unimportant in the greater scheme of things. She doesn’t matter, because she and most of her supporters are under the legal voting age. And even if they could, teenagers are infamous for not voting. The problem with this line of thinking is that kids keep getting older, and will be able to vote within a couple of years.
Exaggeration?
There are many, particularly on the conservative side, who have criticized Greta Thunberg for her approach. Mostly because she talks to politicians directly, in quite forceful terms. Almost as though they are real humans who can be held to account for their actions, or lack there of, not untouchable elites. That condemnation could be nothing more than a public demand that children “respect thy elders”. Such a notion is pretty empty on its face, respect being earned rather than some sort of right of passage gained by not dying before a particular age.
“You Are Shitting On My Future”
Such criticism also completely misses the point of what she is saying. Similar, in some respects, to the critics who panned Henrik Ibsen’s scathing, 1879 proto-feminist play, A Doll’s House. The play, bluntly exposes issues faced by women of the time. A critic wrote, “one does not leave the theater in an uplifted mood.” Greta Thunberg’s message is of existential importance. Of an impending apocalypse. As she told a recent audience, “You are shitting on my future”. She means what she says. She is trying to save the world. Sometimes there is just no time for manners.
Join the battle, it’s all hands on deck. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our times-Trevor McNeil
