The climate activist delivered her address on the day that the oldest solo headliner in Glastonbury’s history will hit the stage.
During her presence at Glastonbury, Greta Thunberg asked society to assume its “historic obligation” to address the global climate issue.
From the Pyramid Stage of the event, the environmental campaigner delivered a stern warning that the world is facing a “climate and ecological emergency.”
“The biosphere is not merely altering; it is destabilizing and disintegrating,” the 19-year-old explained, adding that “the implications might be catastrophic.”
“And sadly, this is not the new normal,” she continued.
She said, “This crisis will continue to worsen until we can halt the continual devastation of our life-supporting systems, and until we prioritize people and the planet over business and greed.
Global leaders have “consciously constructed loopholes” and society has come to “expect” them to deceive, according to Ms. Thunberg, who attributes blame to them.
She argued, “We should be fighting for people and nature, but instead we are fighting against those who are out to destroy it.”
“Today, it is acceptable for our political leaders to say one thing and do the exact opposite. They can claim to be climate leaders while expanding their nation’s infrastructure for fossil fuels.”
Together, we can do the impossible.
Nonetheless, the activist continued, there is still time for the globe to pick a “sustainable” route that “leads to a future for everyone.”
Ms. Thunberg addressed the tens of thousands of festivalgoers, stating, “You and I have been given the historic responsibility to make things right.
“Together, we can do the impossible. But make no mistake, no one else will perform this action on our behalf. This is our responsibility right now. Both you and I”
Following her speech, 32-year-old Manchester native Erin Rudkin stated that you could “hear a pin drop” in the crowd, indicating that the Glastonbury audience was completely captivated.
Behind Ms. Thunberg’s speech, pop-rock band Haim performed, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds taking the stage after them.
Sir Paul McCartney will become the festival’s oldest solo headliner on Saturday evening, a day after Billie Eilish became the festival’s youngest solo performer.
The former Beatle’s headlining performance will take place exactly one week after his 80th birthday and more than 60 years of making music.
