S&Ds welcome appearance of Greta Thunberg in environmental committee of the European Parliament
Date
16 Apr 2019
Sections
Climate & Environment
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg today and spoke in an open meeting of the environment committee.
S&D Group leader Udo Bullmann said:
“We were very glad to welcome Greta Thunberg in the European Parliament today. The attention she and the Fridays for Future movement receive is hopefully the beginning of a long overdue awakening in the face of a huge climate crisis. Regrettably, the conservatives and liberals in this chamber have blocked an appearance of Greta in plenary. Nevertheless, closing one’s eyes and looking the other way is no option for us. With our Progressive Society initiative, we have put forward more than 100 ready to use policy proposals in our Sustainable Equality report to stop climate change and fight inequalities at the same time. This report, which I had the pleasure to present to Greta, will be the compass for our Group when it comes to determining the future course of the EU after the coming elections.”
S&D vice-president for sustainability, Kathleen Van Brempt, said:
“Greta mentioned the horrendous fire in Notre Dame yesterday and compared it to the emergency situation of our civilisation. A beautiful façade, that will collapse like a castle built in the sand if the foundations are not in place. We are setting in motion a chain of events that will lead to total and irreversible destruction if we do not take drastic action now. She also warned us not to rely heavily on technologies and solutions that are still unproven. We share that vision. Although innovation and new technologies are crucial, they cannot and must not be an excuse for inaction today.”
S&D coordinator on the environment, public health and food safety committee, Miriam Dalli added:
"Away from camera flashes we need to make sure that the enthusiasm that this Parliament showed today in the presence of Greta Thunberg remains and is transformed into real action. If we do not take care of our planet today, there will be no economies and no jobs to protect tomorrow. Greta is an example for all. No matter how old you are, no matter where you come from, it is the determination to change things for the better that will result in positive transformations."