Greta Thunberg: The Covid-19 response shows that the world can “suddenly act with the necessary force”
Speaking on Swedish radio Sveriges, Thunberg said that from a climate perspective there is nothing positive about the coronavirus crisis because changes in everyday life are “extremely little similar” to the extreme actions needed to cope with climate change.
“The Corona tragedy, of course, has no long-term positive effect on the climate other than just one thing, and that is insight into how you should understand and treat it urgently,” she said. “Because during a corona crisis, we suddenly act with the necessary force.”
The pandemic has moved people around the world into action, Thunberg said.
“All sections of society come together and politicians reject different views and work together for the benefit of all,” she said.
People in positions of power in politics, business and finance said “they will do whatever it takes” because “you can’t put a price on human life” during a pandemic, Thunberg said.
But when millions died from air pollution, she said, those lives “we can put a price on”.
“Those words and this crisis treatment opens up a whole new dimension, because every year at least 7 million people die from air pollution-related diseases,” Thunberg said, referring to the World Health Organization.
“These are seemingly nations whose lives we can put a price on,” she added. “Ever since they died of the wrong causes and in the wrong parts of the world.”
Although she had mild symptoms, Thunberg posted her experience on social media to raise awareness about the virus.
At CNN City Hall Coronavirus last month, Thunberg said the pandemic forced people to “realize that we are actually dependent on science and that we need to listen to scientists and experts.”
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