Greta Thunberg Arrives at UN Climate Talks in Antalya, Warns ‘Everything We Love Is at Stake’

Climate activist Greta Thunberg made a powerful entrance at the U.N. climate talks on Tuesday in Antalya, Turkey, sharply criticizing the annual conference as hypocritical and warning that “everything and everyone we love is at stake.” As COP31 convenes amid a year marked by deadly climate disasters and energy shocks, Thunberg called on world leaders to prioritize people and the planet over profits and power.

Thunberg Denounces Hypocrisy at COP31

Arriving at the conference, Thunberg condemned the event as an exercise in hypocrisy, saying, “It’s a hypocrisy every year that the host countries are given an opportunity to whitewash themselves and we know that these negotiations are filled with lobbyists, paid by the very destructive industries which are benefiting from our extremely violent status quo.” She criticized political and economic systems as “incompatible with human nature,” emphasizing the urgent need for genuine change rather than empty promises.

Turkey and Australia Promote Renewables Amid Fossil Fuel Reliance

The COP31 summit in Antalya is co-hosted by Turkey and Australia, both actively promoting renewable energy initiatives such as rooftop solar installations. However, both countries continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for electricity generation. Past hosts like Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan are also major oil producers, reflecting ongoing tensions within the conference between energy transition goals and entrenched fossil fuel interests.

Turkey has set a goal to increase the share of electricity in global energy consumption to 35% by 2035, up from 23% today, with a focus on renewable sources like solar and wind. This shift to electrification targets sectors including transportation, buildings, and heavy industry to reduce fossil fuel dependence.

Warnings on Climate Threats and Calls for Just Action

Thunberg underscored the severity of the climate crisis, stating, “Climate change is threatening everything,” and urging action to protect people rather than sacrifice the global majority for the profits and power of a fortunate few. She said, “We should act to protect and benefit people rather than constantly sacrificing the global majority and the very planet we are all living on, for a fortunate few to keep making unimaginable profits and maintaining geopolitical power.” Her remarks emphasized the moral dimension of climate policy amid ongoing global inequities.

Youth Activists Rally Around Thunberg’s Presence

The arrival of Thunberg energized many youth climate activists present at COP31. Amber Turner, a 26-year-old fellow with the Alliance of Small Island States, expressed hope that Thunberg’s presence would remind delegates why climate activism began: “to push for meaningful change, hold decision-makers accountable, and work towards a better future for all of humanity.” Turner noted that worsening climate impacts make it difficult for young people to feel secure about their future.

Other youth delegates echoed this sentiment. Kamori Osthananda, a youth negotiator with Thailand’s COP delegation, called Thunberg’s presence “symbolic” and expressed hope it would pressure the conference to deliver real action. Singaporean youth environmentalist Qiyun Woo described Thunberg’s presence as “powerful,” highlighting the global youth’s fight for their communities and future.

Protests and Continued Calls for Climate Finance

Throughout the conference, protests have demanded increased climate finance and criticized the growing interest in nuclear energy as a climate solution. The mix of activism and official negotiations reflects a complex and contentious atmosphere, with many pushing for urgent, concrete measures to address the climate crisis.

Thunberg, who rose to prominence in 2018 with her “School Strike for Climate” and has since advocated for various causes, including Free Palestine and education rights, is expected to remain at COP31 for several days. This marks her first COP attendance since 2021, when she dismissed leaders’ promises as “blah, blah, blah.” The Antalya talks will continue until November 20, with COP32 scheduled for November 2027 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As the conference proceeds, Thunberg’s stark warnings and the voices of youth activists continue to spotlight the urgent need for meaningful climate action in a world facing mounting environmental and geopolitical challenges.