“Why would I need an education if there is no future?”
When in school, they brought up the topic of the environment and the consequences of human actions. Greta got into a deep depression for several years, she stopped eating and speaking, and she didn’t have any motivation to go to school. She believed that there was no reason to attend school when there is no future. Adults are hypocrites when they say that “kids are our future” and that kids have to attend school because it “forms” you for the future. However, no one acts nor does something about the environmental crisis that will affect future generations. She felt she needed to do something, and that’s when she decided to go on a school strike.
“We are living right now as if we had several earths.”
That’s a fact. Today Humanity uses the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to provide the resources we use and absorb our waste. Greta is autistic, she “suffers” from Asperger’s, which means that she can memorize entire books, she’s very educated in environmental matters, so Greta really knows what she’s talking about. Greta doesn’t like when people say that she “suffers” from Asperger’s and rather calls it her “superpower,” she said, “those of us with Asperger’s or autism are the only ones who see through the static.” One of my favorite Greta quotes is, “Sometimes I feel that it might be good if everyone had a tiny bit of Asperger’s, at least when it comes to the climate.” She wishes for people to see specific issues in black and white like people with Asperger’s do.
“Humanity sees nature as this giant bag of candy. One day nature will strike back.”
Since I was a kid, my mother, who is Bolivian, told me about “Pachamama,” which means Mother Earth, and that we have to respect and appreciate her and be thankful for everything she provides to us. In the Andean culture and religion, “Pachamama is a fertility goddess who presides over planting and harvesting, embodies the mountains, and causes earthquakes. She is also an ever-present and independent deity who has her creative power to sustain life on this earth. Her shrines are hallowed rocks or the boles of legendary trees, and artists envision her as an adult female bearing harvests of potatoes and coca leaves.” (Wikipedia)
The four cosmological principles of the Quechua and Aymara people is the water, earth, sun, and moon “many indigenous peoples in South America base environmental concerns in these ancient beliefs, saying that problems arise when people take too much from nature because they are taking too much from Pachamama.” (Wikipedia)
We cannot forget that nature is wise; we shouldn’t underestimate it and believe that we are bigger and more powerful than nature. I think that the pandemic is one of the “strikes back” of nature against Humanity.
2. Does the “I Am Greta” documentary provide a portrait of the teenage activist that evokes humanizing empathy? Provide some specific, detailed examples.
Yes, during the whole documentary, we can see who she truly is; behind this inspirational and strong girl, there is this human who has feelings and doubts while also dealing with her Asperger’s.
3. What did the film reveal to you that was new information about Greta, her family, her upbringing, and the role her parents play in supporting her? (a thoughtful paragraph)
Since I’m Swedish, I knew about her upbringing and her parents’ role through the media. Her parents are well-known here because they work in the creative industry, her mother is an Opera singer and writer, and her dad is a producer and actor. I remember, I was quite shocked to hear that she was the daughter of Malena Emman. It wasn’t until she became very famous that people started digging into her personal life. That shows that her parents didn’t “promote” her or encouraged her to do the strikes. She built this revolution by herself, and that she happens to have a great support system.
4. What new facts did you learn about climate change? (1 paragraph)
I can’t recall if I learned something new about climate change. However, it was a good refreshment for the mind because we sometimes tend to forget about how critical these issues are.
5. Greta began Strike for Climate in 2018. By September 2019, she arrived in New York for the global Youth Climate Strike. 7 million participated around the world, making it the largest climate strike in history. Were you aware of how quickly the Fridays for Future and Climate Strike movement grew? How and why do you think this movement took off like wildfire among international youth? (1 paragraph)
I wasn’t aware of how quickly the Fridays for the future grew. I think this movement took off among the international youth because younger generations are more aware of the environmental issues, and they care because they are the ones that will be affected by it.
6. Who were some of the first celebrities to champion Greta’s cause? How did you first become aware of the Fridays for Future movement? (1 paragraph)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the first celebrities that championed Greta’s cause. I became aware of Fridays for Future through social media and on the news.
7. What is the Paris Agreement? Why are we so far from meeting its goals? (1 paragraph)
The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming and collaborating between countries to deal with climate change impacts and support them in their efforts. I think we are far from meeting this goal due to Economy Growth. As long as countries and politicians focus on power and money, we will never meet these goals.
8. How is Greta handling her newfound celebrityhood? What does the film reveal about her personal challenges? (1 paragraph)
I think Greta handles it very well, she’s focused, and she doesn’t care about being famous. She was bullied back in school, and I believe she built a thick skin throughout the years. I also think that her Asperger’s helps her to shut down the negativity around her.
9. Why do you think so many teenage girls are taking the helm on climate change? (1 paragraph)
It’s their future, and they want to be able to follow their dreams and aspirations in life, just like everybody else. They want a real change, a future to look forward to.
10. What was your takeaway from the footage on the solar powered Catamaran of Greta’s trip across the Atlantic? Did you follow her voyage in real time on the trip tracker? (1 paragraph)
I think it was courageous of her, being that young and putting her life at risk and not being able to be with her family, she once again showed that she’s a true heroine. I got emotional every time she cried, especially when she was recording herself, and she started to cry about the weight that has been put on her shoulders. It showed a side of her that we have never seen. I didn’t follow her trip in real-time, but I wished I did.
11. Did you participate in the Global Youth Climate Strike on Sept 11th 2019? What was your experience? (1 paragraph)
Unfortunately, I did not participate in the Global Youth Climate Strike.