Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Arrives in NYC to Fight “Biggest Crisis Humanity Has Ever Faced”

Following weeks of anticipation, Swedish climate justice activist Greta Thunberg arrived on the shores of Lower Manhattan Wednesday afternoon after a 15-day voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in an emissions-free yacht. She was welcomed on land by hundreds of supporters at the North Cove Marina. As Thunberg’s yacht sailed over the horizon and past the Statue of Liberty, youth climate activists chanted “The sea levels are rising, and so are we!” and “We are unstoppable! Another world is possible!” The 16-year-old climate activist is kickstarting a months-long tour of the Americas. For her first action, she will be joining New York students climate-striking outside the U.N. Friday morning. She will then take to the streets for a massive climate march in New York City on September 20, followed by two U.N. climate summits here. In December, she will attend the COP25 climate summit in Santiago, Chile. We hear highlights of Greta’s first speech and news conference upon arriving in New York City and speak to her father Svante, as well as New York youth climate activists Alexandria Villaseñor and Xiye Bastida.

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[sherrisawyer]

Out of the mouth of babes. Greta is a young, powerful climate activist that makes it simple that we need to act now. There is no time to waste. Her statement that the climate crisis caused depression is real. She is the face of what activism looks like. Bless her and those she inspires to act, including me.

[iliveinthewoods]

My God. It is terribly sad that young teenagers are spending their time fighting for their future. I'm proud of them all, but wish they could just be kids. Shame on us all.

[TheMaxthesis]

This is the only thing I can be proud of as a swede. Thank you GT! Global strike for the planet!!!

[karenstimson]

I hope she gets a Nobel Prize--she deserves it!

[tomitstube]

welcome to america greta, we are with you! please come on democracy now! you will be with family. greta makes a wonderful point not to get depressed but to turn that emotion into action, don't go down without a fight!

[FireweedFarm]

Walt Whitman, "I and mine do not convince by arguments: we convince by our presence." It's not just what she says, her defense of science, but what she incarnates, that's so compelling. Who she is.

[protitikhan]

Well done Amy. Great interview with the young lady at the end. I remember going through the exact same depression about the climate when I was 8, like Greta, but this was in 1988. I too became active and stayed active into my 20s, but then stopped fighting because I was too sick. The words and, importantly, the actions of this new generation are inspiring to me and make me feel like the torch is still lit. Ring the bells that still can ring.

[nab]

I love her . She is so pure and determined. The future belongs to her generation.

[donidino]

4:05 I love Amy’s genuine enthusiasm and excitement

[JosephNordenbrockartistraction]

Thank you Democracy Now for covering and posting this.

[sabi]

Your bravery and determination are a gift to our planet. Thank you and welcome to the US Greta!! ❤️

[juanasenjo]

It is incredible how in-tune with our world these young people are.! On the other hand, we have world leaders such as Trump and Bolsonaro who, given the power to do what is rightly by ALL of us, instead choose to doom us in the name of greed and power.! This world is upside down. The old, blind, and stupid rulers must give way to a generation of visionaries who, despite their tender age, see the world as ONE vital force, intertwined, inseparable. Our survival is at stake. May they succeed immensely.

[suzanneharris]

I find it so ironic that while the Amazon is (NEEDLESSLY) burning, a principled, determined 16 year-old makes the case for climate action, completely surrounded by water.

[அவானிஉயர்ந்தது]

Thanks to Greta for being an example and getting kids involved in climate change issue. First action should be STOP all the wars around the world in order to start dealing with climate change

[peterfox]

What an incredible little girl she is! Fighting for science and against the climatechange - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?
She is just a small kid but she is smarter and more grown up than many older people I have met in my life so far.
Mr Trump would be just one example of a human being who is older than 16 ... and is impossible to be taken seriously, on a "grown-up-scale".

[ninabjork]

Thank you Amy! Heja Greta stå på Dig! <3

[percivalsweetwater]

More guts in this kid than all of MAGA combined.

[deelove]

Welcome Greta! Well done students in New York! Godspeed! We have no time to lose so let's do this! 🙏💖🌧🌧🌧🌍🌎🌏🌍🌧🌧🌧🌧💖🙏

[rekehavokable]

Every time I hear or see anything about her I tear up...Sad that a 16 year old has more spine than 90% of our Politicians. She's pretty amazing.

[liloleist]

⛵Greta the Great🗽❣
Much support to you from Germany🌍