In case you haven’t heard of Greta Thunberg. She is an 16-year-old Swedish girl that made headlines for her role in the 2019 UN Summit. In that summit she spoke out emotionally, criticising the people’s treatment of the planet and about climate change – which gathered attention.
While many praised her courage and for speaking out for the planet, she came under fire from many that disagree with her over-dramatisation of the situation. The fact that she’s only a teen also rubbed people the wrong way.
Here are 5 notable people that spoke out against her.
1. Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson, a well-known car reviewer and webshow host of “The Grand Tour”, hit out against Greta for her criticism of adults, claiming that most things she enjoyed right now was made by adults.
In his column in the news agency The Sun he wrote, “How dare you sail to America on a carbon fiber yacht that you didn’t build which cost £15million ($18million), that you didn’t earn, and which has a back-up diesel engine that you didn’t mention.” This was in regards to Greta’s recent venture to America via a yacht. Though he agreed with her regarding climate change, he stated that science should be the answer and not her ways of action.
2. XiaXue
Beside Clarkson, Singaporean blogger and influencer named XiaXue called Greta rather ‘cringe’ and a ‘hopeful idiot’ for her speech at the summit. She also mentioned how these kids views things in a one dimensional angle. She was met with backlash for her post but has remained adamant that she would not apologies over her comment on Greta because she has done nothing wrong.
3. Andrew Bolt
Andrew Bolt, who is a conservative social and political commentator, questioned why so many adults are listening to her more than anything else. “I have never seen a girl so young and with so many mental disorders treated by so many adults as a guru,” he wrote in The Herald Sun.
4. Amanda Vanstone
Some have also questioned whether she is being manipulated by her parents and the people surrounding. One of which is former Howard government minister Amanda Vanstone who in her radio national show ‘Counterpoint’ brought up the question.
In the radio show, she stated that she opposes the usage of children in political debates and that Greta was used to deflect criticism because no adults are willing to argue and fight a kid.
5. The 1975
They haven’t explicitly say they are against Greta, but their refusal to work with her leaves many with a brow raise. It maybe because of her controversial topic and issues that resulted in The 1975 rejecting the opportunity to work with her. According to their manager, it was not only the band but many others who have refused as well.
So is Greta Thunberg’s point valid when it comes to climate change? Or do you think she’s way out of her league here.
Source: Meaww, The New Daily, Yahoo, Spectator .
