What is Greta Thunberg really achieving?

(Eco Business, 27 Sep 2019) The 16-year-old has received a wave of attacks from critics who are uncomfortable with the young activist holding truth to power. But her extraordinary inner strength is what keeps her unfazed and has driven the world to act.

I don’t want to simply dismiss Greta haters as a bunch of old white guys who taunt her “weird looking face with weird voice” like bullies on a playground. There are also many serious environmental advocates who worry that Greta is simply projecting “anti” messages.

That “resistance is futile.” That the strikes around the world, inspired by her, are wasted effort. That only direct change in “The System” matters.

In my career as an environmental activist at JUCCCE, I have decided very consciously not to protest anything. Not to strike. Not to be against people. Only to provide solutions and align incentives, like a management consultant working with decision makers. This has worked well for me in China.

So to-date, I was both in admiration of Greta’s persistence and also not very engaged in participating in the strikes.

Today, as we head into UN Climate Action Week, I want to make a stronger stand to support Greta by helping people understand the deeper consequences of what she has activated in the world.

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Eco Business, 27 Sep 2019: What is Greta Thunberg really achieving?