This is not a review, not a proper one. I know that, considering the ongoing, serious issue of climate change, and the young activist, anything I write will be dated. It risks irrelevance.
But I felt I had to say something.
I will mention just how scared a lot of people are of Greta Thunberg. There are a number of awful discreditors, sceptics, nitpickers, trolls, politicians, world leaders, and plain lazy and privileged people - caring more about money than making the planet liveable for future generations - who are scared of a child. That should bring home, more than anything, just how pathetic they truly are. However, since Greta is also female and receiving attention, those facts alone are enough to make her an easy target. Look how desperate certain powerful people are to stamp down and silence her loud voice. Her being on the autism spectrum is an added bonus for trolls and bullies.
Greta Thunberg is an inspiration. She must be doing something right if she is making politicians listen (or giving them a reason to fear her, and to fear for their money), and is trying to steer us towards listening to her as she raises awareness about climate change. She is not letting adult cynicism, ignorance, laziness, and threats to her life get in her way. She wanted to do what she's doing, for her generation's sake as well as ours. She cares. There can't be any doubt that she genuinely cares about our planet. She is out there doing something about saving the world - what the hell were you doing when you were fifteen and sixteen?
She wants us to listen, and care. She urges us to listen to scientists and experts, whose job is the tell the truth and to help us, like she's doing with her awareness spreading around the globe.
It is because Greta cares a great deal - and is no nonsense and not "nice" about it in her speeches - and wants to upend the failing, decaying economical and political system, that she is feared and therefore mocked and slandered so much. She is a child, a girl at that, who is really up against conglomerate giants the world over, who don't care and won't stand for other people caring. They hate activists because they make them uncomfortable, and that's a good thing; they should listen and learn from them. It can't hurt them any more than they are already harming the earth.
Greta can't do her activism crusade alone.
We have to help. To listen. To teach. To learn from the younger generation who are passionate, open minded, empathetic, and have their heads screwed on right.
Greta Thunberg is a voice for that generation. She is a beacon of hope for millennials-and-younger everywhere.
Cut the bullshit about the youth being spoiled, selfish, entitled, out of touch and lazy - that's an apt description of the older generations more than anything. Greta is a testament to that.
Some of the reasons for her backlash don't really have anything to do with how young (meaning driven) she is. It comes right down to, as Elizabeth May says in her short story, 'Why They Watch Us Burn':
"You understand the truth [...] The most terrifying thing in the world is a girl with power. That's why they watch us burn."
"Here's how to fulfill a prophecy: you are a woman, you speak the truth, and the world makes you into a liar."
Never stop fighting for us hopeless slobs, Greta Thunberg. Me and others won't stop fighting for and supporting you. I too am scared for the future of our earth. I too care for our planet (it's the only one we've got) and our children. I too hope that no one in a position of power, wealth and change who seriously doesn't care (with all the evidence and facts it's impossible to deny and disbelieve now) about climate change and global warming, is evil.
'No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference' is a step in the right direction, if nothing else. A start, an inspiring manual of speeches. From one young girl.
There are many, many inspiring young girls everywhere and throughout history. Never underestimate them. They're the bravest, most caring superheroes.
Final Score: 4/5
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