Greta Thunberg leads climate change protest - 14th September 2019

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is 16 years old. She has inspired young people around the world to protest about global warming. She joined her American peers in the youth climate movement at a demonstration near the White House.

Ms Thunberg arrived in the US last month on a sailing boat.

There were so many reporters and TV cameras that it was difficult for the protesters to march. Thunberg fell back.

“We love you, Greta,” fans yelled.

President Trump keeps saying that he doesn’t believe in the climate crisis. He doesn’t support US efforts to stop global warming. Ms Thunberg doesn’t think she can convince President Trump that global warming is real. She hopes he will listen to scientists. Most other countries are not meeting the goals to stop temperatures from rising to dangerous levels.

The gathering of a few hundred children, teenagers and their supporters chanted: “Protect our future.”

Last year Ms Thunberg started a school strike outside her country’s parliament. The strike began a global movement with students and it was called “Fridays for Future”. Now Ms Thunberg has many fans.

At the demonstration Thunberg did not say much because other speakers “have already said everything”. The fans cheered.

But she added: “I just want to say I’m so incredibly grateful for every single one of you, I’m so proud of you. Just never give up. We will continue and see you next week on 20 September” - for the planned global climate strike.

The world’s top climate scientists reported last year that even small increases in temperature will mean risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.

Ms Thunberg is travelling to Chile in December for the UN framework convention on climate change. She is not yet sure how she will get to Chile without a plane.