How did a 16-year-old from Sweden do what all the world's scientists have had so much trouble doing over the last 40 years? As an earth scientist, I have long despaired that all the world's scientists were not as effective as a handful of billionaire businessmen in telling their climate stories to the world.

I remember watching film of President H.W. Bush talk about global warming in 1988 and thinking good, the climate science is clear and the president is getting the word out. Then came the billionaires and 40 years of confusing, conflicting talking heads.

And then came Greta. Watching her interview with Trevor Noah, she's not dynamic or charismatic, but some of her answers are just...compelling. Can it really be that an idealistic teen can have more impact than industry or science? Is it just that the time was finally right?

She is my hero. They estimate 1.5 million protesters in Germany today!

As a phenomenon, this really is impressive, and I'm glad that someone like her exists. On a personal level, though, I can only imagine the burden she must feel - and it makes me equal parts angry and sad that it was necessary for a child to start touring the world and to some extent give up her life for something to finally change.

That's a very good question that I didn't consider. I wonder what the future holds for her. I assumed she would be elated with her success.

I wonder how she will take to being vilified as a 16-year-old and whether her Asperger's would play a role. When I first saw a picture of this float I wondered what she would think of it.

Speaking of offensive displays, I saw several signs like this one about meat and the planet

She confirmed some of that in dramatic fashion at the U.N.

'How Dare You!': Greta Thunberg Rages at 'Fairytales of Eternal Economic Growth' at UN Climate Summit"Entire ecosytems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money."www.commondreams.org

"I shouldn't be standing here," said Thunberg. "I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to me for hope? How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words."

She has confirmed mental health issues. I hope she remains healthy. It’s sad to see children afraid.

It's extraordinary to see photos of crowds 500,000 strong in Canada led by Greta. I can't imagine what it's like to be 16 and have this happen.

Image: Canadian Press

Very interesting article in the NY Times that gives me hope that the right wing media might not be able to stop the tide of environmental change.

Opinion | How the Climate Kids Are Short-Circuiting Right-Wing Media (Published 2019)Young people like Greta Thunberg are participating in the culture wars while also managing to float above the fray.www.nytimes.com

Part of me says, but the gun control kids had a moment that faded, without results.

The other part of me is in awe that the youth don't seem to take these attacks personally like adults do. Maybe it's because they grew up with social media and know that it's just part of the game, I dunno. What Greta is doing right now is astonishing.

Part of me says, but the gun control kids had a moment that faded, without results.

🤞that won't happen. Fortunately, she's on an international stage with overwhelming support throughout Europe. And most of the globe her generation understands dire nature and has now affected by the climate crisis.

I hope so, but we had environmental protests this big in the early 70s that everyone has forgotten about. They led to the EPA, the clean air act, etc., but now they've come under serious attack.

And shortly after we started recycling back then, plastics came along with bottled water and changed everything.

Bookies are saying Greta is favored for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is favored to win the Nobel Peace PrizeThunberg started the school strike, "Fridays for Future," in which she and others leave class for protest for change that would better protect earth.www.kvue.com

I'm guessing this is something @lidja would like. My wife and I laughed at several of the bits:

You are right, Chris. 😁

I just wish it wasn’t so true...

I really wish @apm was here to add to this conversation. I think his insights about kids like Greta would be illuminating.

I really wish @apm was here to add to this conversation

+++++

Greta Thunberg now has a beetle named after her. Pretty cool!

Never too small to make a difference: A new species of beetle named in honor of Greta Thunberg - CNNClimate activist Greta Thunberg is being honored in a very small way.www.cnn.com

I really wish @apm was here to add to this conversation. I think his insights about kids like Greta would be illuminating.

There’s a 17 year old Autistic Neurodiversity advocate who has campaigned for the past few years to have EVERY school in the UK participate in Neurodiversity Celebration Week, “a week in which the strengths of being neurodiverse are recognised and acknowledged.”

Siena has done media interviews and participated in a UN committee session last summer. She’s also off the charts brilliant in maths, which is how I had the good fortune to chat with her a couple years ago on Twitter.

Her essay on 12 Myths about Twice Exceptional Kids, paints a picture of the challenges she’s faced by being both gifted and having a disability.

Being bullied for her differences, and having her school accuse her of being responsible for her torment, must have shaped her into the incredible advocate that she is.

******

On another note, here’s a soon-to-be-published ginormous tome on Climate Crisis statistics that both Bill Gates and @Chris might enjoy:

Big Data Mining for Climate ChangeBig Data Mining for Climate Change addresses how to manage the vast amount of information available for analysis. Climate change and its environmental, economic and social consequences are widely recognized as the biggest, most interconnected problem facing humanity. There is a huge amount of potential information currently available...and it is growing exponentially.books.google.com

Looks like a great book from respected Chinese scientists at Beijing University.

This reminds me of when embryonic stem cell research became illegal in the US but scientists in other countries could advance the science until it became legal again here.

As we suppress climate science here it gives scientists in other countries the chance to rise to prominance and achieve some good.

Well now we know why she's wise beyond her years: she was around in the 1800s.

This photo of a Greta Thunberg look-alike from 1898 is fueling speculation that she's a time travelerShe was sent forward in time to save the world, obviously.matadornetwork.com

This 👇

This 👇

I think I knew her then.

My time travel machine!

oh the hypocrisy...

Last week, politicians were up in arms that a professor dared to even utter the name of the president’s son, as that was somehow invading the teenager’s privacy. This week, the president himself mocked and bullied this teenage girl, MOCKED AND BULLIED THIS TEENAGE GIRL, with complete impunity.

Be best.

🤮