Global climate activist Greta Thunberg made headlines once again as she was forcefully removed by the police for obstructing oil tankers during a climate demonstration in the Swedish city of Malmo. This incident occurred just hours after Thunberg appeared in court for a similar protest last month.
Thunberg, who had been fined for disobeying police orders in a previous protest, showed her unwavering commitment to the cause by joining fellow climate protesters in blocking the tankers heading to a terminal in the southern Swedish city’s harbor. In Reuters video footage, Thunberg can be seen being lifted by the police to the side of the road and later driven away in a police vehicle.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Thunberg expressed her frustration, saying, “It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it.” She emphasized the need for change, stating, “We know that we cannot save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.”
At just 20 years old, Thunberg has become a prominent figure in the fight against climate change. She is known for her straightforward and uncompromising approach, demanding urgent action from leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, she dismissed political promises on climate change as 30 years of “blah blah blah.”
Despite the court’s decision to fine her, Thunberg stated that she would not be appealing the verdict. The fine amounted to about $240, which included a contribution to Sweden’s fund for crime victims.
Thunberg argued that her actions were legitimate, given the global climate emergency. She called for laws to protect society from “self-destructing greed,” which she believes is fueling global warming.
Thunberg’s detention comes amid a summer of extreme weather events worldwide, with several European cities experiencing record-breaking heatwaves. Wildfires are devastating Greece and Algeria, and extreme heat is affecting parts of the United States and Asia.
A recent study by the World Weather Attribution network, a coalition of scientists, concluded that such deadly heatwaves would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change.
The United Nations has long recognized climate change as a global emergency, with Secretary-General António Guterres tweeting that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense, and longer due to the impacts of the climate crisis.
This is not the first time Thunberg has clashed with law enforcement. In January, she was detained by police in Germany for protesting against the demolition of villages for coal mining. In March, she was also detained for protesting outside Norwegian government buildings after they approved the construction of wind farms on land traditionally used by the country’s indigenous Sami population.
The group “Reclaim the Future,” which organized the recent protest, praised Thunberg’s involvement and vowed to keep fighting despite fines and legal repercussions. The resistance continues, they declared in an Instagram post.
As the world grapples with the climate crisis, Thunberg’s determined activism serves as a reminder of the urgent need for action and the power of grassroots movements in bringing about change.