Greta Thurnberg Says Planting Trees Is Not Enough After Trump's Tree Pledge

“Your inaction is fueling the flames,” the teenage climate activist said at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

DAVOS, Switzerland ― Greta Thunberg said planting trees was not enough to address climate change on Tuesday, in an apparent rebuke to a planting pledge in Davos by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Our house is still on fire,” Thunberg said, repeating her remarks at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum a year ago. “Your inaction is fueling the flames,” the teenage activist added, in the latest to-and-fro with the 73-year-old president.

Their ongoing debate around climate change appears as an attempt by both to frame the argument, with Thunberg calling for an immediate end to fossil fuel investments in front of a packed audience less than an hour after watching Trump make his keynote address in the Swiss ski resort.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg addresses guests at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg addresses guests at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trump announced the U.S. would join an existing initiative to plant one trillion trees, but also spoke at length about the economic importance of oil and gas and called climate change activists “pessimistic” and the “heirs of yesterday’s foolish fortune tellers.”

Thunberg responded by referring to “empty words and promises” by world leaders.

“You say children shouldn’t worry... don’t be so pessimistic and then, nothing, silence.”

Panel members applaud for Greta Thunberg after she addressed guests at the forum's 50th annual meeting in Davos.
Panel members applaud for Greta Thunberg after she addressed guests at the forum's 50th annual meeting in Davos.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earlier, Thunberg called on world leaders to listen to young activists, who have followed her to Davos this year.

“I’m not a person that can complain about not being heard,” she said, prompting laughter from the audience on the first day of the annual WEF meeting.

“The science and voice of young people is not the center of the conversation, but it needs to be.”

President Donald Trump also spoke at the annual meeting in Davos, telling attendees that the U.S. would join an existing initiative to plant one trillion trees.
President Donald Trump also spoke at the annual meeting in Davos, telling attendees that the U.S. would join an existing initiative to plant one trillion trees.
FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images

Several young activists have traveled to the Swiss ski resort of Davos this year, following in Thunberg’s footsteps.

Among the “climate heroes” being celebrated by the WEF are Irish teen scientist Fionn Ferreira, who created a solution for preventing micro plastics from reaching oceans.

They also include South African climate activist Ayakha Melithafa, 17, and Canadian Autum Peltier, who has been advocating for water conservation since she was 8.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot