【明報專訊】．Age: 16

．Nationality: Swedish

Greta Thunberg believes in action. As global carbon emission hit a historic high in 2018, the teenager went on a school strike every Friday and demanded that the Swedish government should reduce the country's carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

''I remember when I was younger, and in school, our teachers showed us films of plastic in the ocean, starving polar bears and so on. I cried through all the movies.'' said Greta.

Greta's action caught international attention immediately and many around the world followed suit. Greta was invited to give a speech at the United Nation Climate Change Conference 2018.

■Photo Story

To fight against climate change and reduce her carbon footprint, Greta decided to adapt to a low-carbon lifestyle, including not travelling by plane. She also goes around by bike instead of car.

Greta's Friday school strikes have inspired thousands of students around the world and young people joins her to protest for their own future, with the slogan "Fridays for Future".

Greta gave a speech on TEDxStockholm and shared how she tried to save the world by changing the rules and systems.

■English highway﹕Strike

refuse to work as a form of organised protest

e.g. Taiwan's China Airlines cancels flights due to a strike by pilots.

■Glossary

emission (n) 排放

follow suit (phr) 仿效

adapt (v) 適應

instead of (phr) 代替

[Smarties' Power English 第246期]