The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) holds a debate with Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist, in Strasbourg. Greta Thunberg came to prominence for starting the school strikes for climate in November last year. Extracts from the exchange of views.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

exchange of views

Strasbourg

meeting

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

fight against climate change (T)

THUNBERG, Greta (SE)

Exchange of views with Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist at the ENVI Committee: extracts

SOUNDBITE (English), Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist, Our civilization is so fragile it is almost like a castle built in the sand. The facade is so beautiful, but the foundations are far from solid. We have been cutting so many corners, yesterday the world watched with despair and enormous sorrow how the Notre Dame burnt in Paris,  some buildings are more than just buildings, but the Notre Dame will be rebuilt I hope that its foundations are strong. I hope that our foundations are even stronger, but I fear they are not.

SOUNDBITE (English), Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist, <p>We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction and the extinction rate is up to ten thousand times faster than what is considered normal. With up to 200 species becoming extinct every single day. Erosion, a fertile top sought, the deforestation of a Great Forest, toxic air pollution, loss of insects and wildlife, the acidification of our oceans: these are all disastrous trends being accelerated by a way of life that we here are financially fortunate part of the world see is our right to simply carry on. (Applause)</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist, You need to listen to us, we who cannot vote. You need to vote for us, for your children and grandchildren. What we are doing now can soon no longer be undone. In this election you vote for the future living conditions for humankind. And though the politics needed do not exist today some alternatives are certainly less worse than others. And I have read that some parties do not even want me standing here today because they so desperately do not want to talk about climate breakdown.

SOUNDBITE (English), Greta THUNBERG, Swedish climate activist, To do your best is no longer good enough. We must all do the seemingly impossible. And it's OK if you refuse to listen to me. I am after all just a 16 year old schoolgirl from Sweden but you cannot ignore the scientists or the science. The millions of school striking children who are school striking for the right to a future. I beg you please do not fail on this.