Greta Thunberg addresses climate change in Iowa City
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of people crowded the streets of downtown Iowa City on Friday to demand action on climate change and welcome 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Thunberg joined thousands of students and other activists at the intersection of North Dubuque Street and Iowa Avenue to protest pollution issues at the University of Iowa. She told the crowds she was stunned by the number of people who had turned out, telling them, “This is the real hope — so many people gathering here on a weekday with such short notice.”
The teen reiterated the message she has spread around the world to act on science in addressing climate change.
Thunberg spoke to world leaders last month at a United Nations summit in New York and has led students in global protests demanding action on climate change.
In Iowa City on Friday, she drew cheers when she said teens and children should have to take on such responsibility, “but right now, the world leaders keep acting like children, and somebody needs to be the adult in the room.”
The UI burns coal as part of their energy plan, and Friday’s demonstration focused on aggressively reducing or eliminating coal emissions. University President Bruce Harreld has committed to removing coal by 2025 but activists say it’s not fast enough.
