Greta Thunberg criticized governments and institutions in a speech at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, on Nov. 12, saying the planet is being “assassinated,” not simply dying. (Foto: Instagram)
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said the planet is being “assassinated,” rather than simply dying, during a speech Thursday, Nov. 12, at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP31, in Antalya, Turkey. She criticized governments and institutions that, in her view, should be leading efforts to address the environmental crisis.
“The planet is not dying, but it is being assassinated. And we know who is doing it,” Thunberg said. “It is being killed by the same people who are often seen as the ones who will come to save us.” She argued that the environmental situation is far from under control and that those responsible for damaging the planet are often also the people expected to provide solutions.
Thunberg warned that the world is heading toward a future of more genocide and ecocide, weakened basic rights and a reality in which necessities become luxuries. She also urged people to mobilize in response to threats to human rights, saying those with greater privilege have a greater responsibility to speak out and demand change.
She described defending human rights as a shared obligation, particularly when states and other institutions threaten those rights. “The more privileged we are, the greater our responsibility to stand up, be the adult in the room and fight for our rights and the human rights of everyone,” she said.
Thunberg gained international attention in 2018, when she was 15 and began holding Friday school strikes outside Sweden’s Parliament to call for action on climate change. The protest campaign led to Fridays for Future, a movement that inspired youth demonstrations in multiple countries. She later attended international conferences and meetings with political leaders to press for stronger action against global warming. In 2019, Time magazine named her Person of the Year. In recent years, her advocacy has also addressed social justice and human rights.
COP31 brings together country representatives, scientists, organizations and activists to negotiate measures to combat global warming. This year’s conference is being held in Antalya from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20. Turkey is presiding over the conference, while Australia is leading the negotiations. The meeting continues discussions held at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
