Greta Thunberg calls for structural changes at UN talks to tackle climate crisis

ANTALYA, Türkiye (AP) – Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived at UN climate talks Tuesday, condemning the annual debates as hypocritical and urging leaders to put people and the planet before profits and power.

THE COP31 The conference is being held in the Turkish resort city of Antalya after a year of deadly climate-related disasters, including heat waves And floodsand another energy shock caused by the Iranian War.

“It is a hypocrisy every year that host countries have the opportunity to whitewash themselves and we know that these negotiations are filled with lobbyists, paid by very destructive industries who profit from our extremely violent status quo,” Thunberg said upon his arrival. “Our political and economic systems have become incompatible with human nature.”

Turkey and Australia, co-hosts of COP31, promote renewable energy and rooftop solar installations, but both still rely heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, to generate electricity. Previous host countries, including Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan, are major oil producers.

Climate change “threatens everything,” Thunberg said, warning that “everything and everyone we love is at stake.”

“We should act to protect and benefit people rather than constantly sacrificing the global majority and the very planet we all live on, so that a lucky few can continue to make unimaginable profits and maintain their geopolitical power,” she said.

Thunberg denounces annual climate negotiations

This is the first climate summit Thunberg has attended since 2021 Conferences in Glasgow, Scotlandwhere she rejected promises from world leaders like “blah, blah, blah”.

She rose to prominence in 2018 when, at the age of 15, she began a solo career. School strike for climate » in front of the Swedish Parliament. In 2022, she published “The Climate Book,” outlining actions to address the climate crisis.

She has won several awards and defended other causes, including Movement for a Free Palestine. Last year she was arrested in London while supporting pro-Palestinian activists on hunger strike. More recently, she supported French students demonstrate for more school resources.

In 2024, it joins a demonstration in Georgia against Azerbaijan hosts COP29.

One of Turkey’s key goals is global electrification: moving sectors such as transport, construction and heavy industry from fossil fuels to electricity. Turkey wants electricity, preferably produced from renewable sources such as solar and wind, to account for 35% of global energy consumption by 2035, up from 23% today.

“We of course have to accept the victories that we have, because we are so desperate in this situation that we have to accept every positive sign that we can get to save as much as we can still save,” said Thunberg, who is expected to spend several days at COP31.

Young activists rally around Thunberg

Thunberg’s arrival at the conference sparked enthusiasm among many young climate activists.

“At this time of heightened geopolitical tensions, I hope Greta’s presence here reminds us why we started this work: to promote meaningful change, hold decision-makers accountable, and work toward a better future for all of humanity,” said Amber Turner, 26, a member of the Alliance of Small Island States.

“The worsening impacts of climate change make it difficult for young people to be assured of a secure and prosperous future,” Turner added.

Protests at COP31 demanded more climate finance and were criticized growing interest in nuclear energy.

“The presence of such a climate activist at one of the world’s largest climate conferences is symbolic, and I hope it will put pressure on the COP itself to provide real action and implementation,” said Kamori Osthananda, a young negotiator in the Thai delegation to the COP.

Qiyun Woo, a young environmentalist from Singapore, said Thunberg’s “powerful” presence “adds to the calls of a generation that is inheriting the consequences of these negotiations.”

“Alongside him, many young activists from around the world are also on the ground actively fighting for their communities, their homes and their collective future,” she said.

The UN negotiations in Antalya continue until November 20. COP32 is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, in November 2027.

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Arasu reported from Bangalore, India and Delgado from Bangkok.

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