Thunberg: "Using the Climate Crisis Solely as a Business Opportunity"

Photo by SCMP

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg criticized political and economic leaders for treating the climate crisis solely as a business opportunity.

On the 1st (local time), Thunberg participated via video in the "Austria World Summit," a climate event hosted by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Vienna, where she made these remarks.

Thunberg pointed out, "The climate crisis is currently being treated at best as an opportunity to create new green jobs, new businesses, and new technologies."

She added, "In the end, public pressure grew, so (political and economic leaders) started to take action. However, they are acting as if playing a role. They are using the climate crisis to do politics, play word games, and toy with our future," she criticized.

However, the report stated that Thunberg's speech was cut short due to technical issues.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger emphasized in his opening remarks that environmental activism requires "not only threats or despair but also encouragement."

He said that although the "Terminator" series, in which he starred, dealt with a frightening and dystopian world, it "focused on human will and hope," adding, "We can end pollution. Let's cooperate."

The event was attended by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Frans Timmermans, Vice President of the European Union Green Deal Executive Commission, and senior executives from Ford and Apple in the U.S.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.