Tag Archives: climate activism

Greta Thunberg Carries On!

Posted on by under education, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, Social commentary

I first wrote about Greta Thunberg in December 2018, featuring her in a ‘good people’ post.  Since then, I have written about or mentioned her no less than 22 times!  Since the first time she crossed my radar, I’ve said that this young woman is going to change the world … and she is doing just that, bit by bit!  She doesn’t just talk the talk, but she walks the walk, and a few times lately that has gotten her arrested!  Let’s check in with Greta and catch up on the latest …

In January of this year, she was detained but not arrested by police at a protest over the expansion of a coal mine in the western village of Lützerath, Germany.

Climate strike week 230. We are currently in Lützerath, a German village threatened to be demolished for an expansion of a coal mine. People have been resisting for years. Join us here at 12 or a local protest tomorrow to demand that #LützerathBleibt !#ClimateStrike

Police officers carry Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg away from the edge of the Garzweiler II opencast lignite mine during a protest action by climate activists after the clearance of Luetzerath, Germany, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. After the eviction of Luetzerath ended on Sunday, coal opponents continued their protests on Tuesday at several locations in North Rhine-Westphalia. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)

Then in March, she was detained twice during a demonstration in support of Indigenous rights in Oslo, Norway.

And just last month she was charged with disobeying law enforcement after she allegedly refused to leave the scene of a climate protest in Malmö, Sweden.

“Today, for the third day in a row, young activists from @tatillbakaframtiden have blocked oil tankers in the Malmö oil harbour. The climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless people. We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future,” said Greta in an Instagram post.

Mind you, I’m not saying that getting arrested is, in and of itself, an achievement, but it is the fact that the threat of arrest isn’t stopping her, that she is thumbing her nose at those who would pay homage to the fossil fuel industry to the detriment of life on Planet Earth.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was reportedly arrested some 29 times during his lifetime, but he got his message across despite those who thought he could be stopped with a pair of handcuffs and a jail cell.  I’m betting that Ms. Thunberg will do the same!  Our children and grandchildren will owe Ms. Thunberg a debt of gratitude for their very lives, I think.

Greta ‘n Giggles!

Posted on by under Election 2022, Environmental Issues, Global Issues, Humour, Personal, Social commentary

Well, folks, it’s here — the day we’ve all either looked forward to or dreaded, depending on your level of optimism/pessimism.  And I, for one, cannot write another word about the election at the moment.  Last night, my home was attacked by local street urchins, damaging the front door, a window, and nearly giving me a heart attack, as if the current political situation wasn’t enough to do so!  The police were called, they showed up, drove around for all of 90 seconds, and left without even getting out of their cruiser or knocking on the door where at least two of the urchins live.  Need I tell you that the county Sheriff is a Trumpeter?

You’ve either voted by now, or have firm plans to go to the polls today, else you’ve firmly decided not to vote, and at this point, there is nothing I can say to change your mind.  My angst level is high and I don’t want to write about the election and the fools in this nation any more for right now (that’ll probably change by this afternoon, though).  A couple of days ago, my dear sweet friend Bee Halton, who knows of my deep admiration for young Greta Thunberg, sent me the following video of an interview with Ms. Thunberg ahead of a book she has coming out in February 2023.  This interview started with many giggles, and then morphed into some serious discussion about the planet, our environment, etc.  As always, Ms. Thunberg is a delight!  She has matured greatly and it’s only when she mentions her Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, that I remember it, for she is as well-spoken as anyone I’ve ever heard.  So do yourself a favour … set the political scene aside for just a few minutes and share in the fun, the laughter, and yes, the talk of the most serious issue facing the world today!  I promise you won’t regret it and that you will chuckle!  Thank you, my dear Sweet Bee!!!