Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, along with other campaigners, took a stand against climate change by blocking the main entrances to Sweden’s parliament on Monday. They staged a sit-down protest to highlight the severe impact of climate change and to condemn what they perceive as a lack of action from politicians.
In an interview with Reuters, Thunberg expressed their concerns, stating, “We are a group of young people who are blocking entrances to the Swedish Parliament to protest against the ongoing destruction of our life-supporting systems and of people already being killed as a result of the climate crisis. That needs to come to an end. We have had enough.”
Thunberg rose to prominence as the face of the youth climate activism movement, starting with her solo protests in front of the Swedish parliament in 2018. These protests have since grown into a global movement, with young people rallying for climate action across the world.
While Thunberg’s protests in Stockholm have typically not involved blocking entrances to parliament, the group’s action on Monday aimed to draw attention to what they view as policymakers’ failure to address the escalating climate crisis. Despite some entrances remaining open, the activists stood their ground.
“(The politicians) have not been acting. We are still moving in the wrong direction, the emissions are still increasing,” Thunberg emphasized. “Therefore we feel like we have no other choice but to try new, different methods in order to get our voices heard.”
Thunberg highlighted the urgency of the situation, mentioning the increasing severity of the climate crisis and the collective responsibility to act. She encouraged others to join the climate justice movement and take action in tackling climate change.
Over the past year, Thunberg faced detention and removal from protests in various countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Germany. However, a British court recently ruled in her favor, acquitting her of charges related to a protest in London last year.
As Thunberg and her fellow activists continued their demonstration at Sweden’s parliament, she reiterated the pressing need for action on climate change. “The climate crisis is only going to get worse, so it is all our responsibilities. All of those who have an opportunity to act must do so,” she emphasized.
The young activists remain steadfast in their mission to draw attention to the climate emergency and hold leaders accountable for their lack of action. Their protest serves as a reminder of the urgency of addressing climate change and the importance of collective efforts towards a sustainable future.
(Reporting by Ilze Filks, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik and Gareth Jones)
