Opinion: Thank you, Greta!

Climate+change+activist+Greta+Thunberg+waves+from+the+Malizia+II+boat+in+Plymouth%2C+England%2C+Wednesday%2C+Aug.+14%2C+2019.+The+16-year-old+climate+change+activist+who+has+inspired+student+protests+around+the+world+will+leave+Plymouth%2C+England%2C+bound+for+New+York+in+a+high-tech+but+low-comfort+sailboat.%28AP+Photo%2FKirsty+Wigglesworth%2C+pool%29

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg waves from the Malizia II boat in Plymouth, England, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. The 16-year-old climate change activist who has inspired student protests around the world will leave Plymouth, England, bound for New York in a high-tech but low-comfort sailboat.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool)

Bill Wilen Guest Columnist

While watching Amy Goodman’s lengthy interview with Greta Thunberg on “Democracy Now!”, it dawned on me that she is getting so much attention on the issue of climate change while the United States is not doing anything about reducing CO2 emissions.

At one time the U.S. was the expected world leader on major issues but, under our current president, we have lost so much respect.

While Greta learned about climate change in her Swedish science classes, President Trump denied the world’s scientists’ research findings on global warming and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Accord.

Through her activism around the world, Greta encourages other students and citizens to protest and strike for governments to reduce fossil fuel emissions, but President Trump supports the coal, oil and gas industries and doesn’t support the building of renewable sources like solar and wind.

While Greta is a hero for the cause of dealing with global warming our president is a total embarrassment as a leader. His appointees at the EPA are lackies, and our congressional representatives are “do-nothings” as elected officials.

The world is facing the most existential crisis of our time and we are relying on a Swedish teenager to activate the people and get governments to move toward a sustainable future.

Thank you, Greta, for your courage, energy and persistence to help save us from ourselves! 

Contact Bill Wilen at [email protected].