Greta Thunberg admonishes leaders as U.N. climate summit fails to deliver action
UNITED NATIONS - Dozens of world leaders touted their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the United Nations Climate Action Summit Monday, but they were largely upstaged by youth activists angry at officials for not doing enough to prevent a catastrophic heating of the planet.
The summit failed to produce new commitments from the world's largest countries to cut carbon pollution. As it got underway, 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg delivered a blunt and emotional speech excoriating leaders for their "empty words" and insufficient steps to drive down emissions while temperatures continue to rise.
"We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you," Thunberg added. "If you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you."
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