Greta Thunberg, true to herself.

The young Swedish environmental activist on Thursday accused world leaders of "ignoring" climate change, warning them that the next generations will judge them.

“How long do you think you can go on ignoring climate change (…) without being held to account?

», Launched the young girl speaking by videoconference in front of a commission of the American Congress, on the sidelines of the climate summit organized by Washington.

⚠️This is an emergency alert for the general public⚠️ # MindTheGap # LeadersClimateSummit # EarthDay # NoMoreEmptySummits pic.twitter.com/e1z1A783I2

- Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 22, 2021

In a harsh, accusatory speech, the 18-year-old girl reminded elected officials that the Paris agreement concluded in 2015 plans to keep global warming below + 2 ° C, if possible + 1.5 ° C, compared to the pre-industrial era.

“Climate change does not exist in public debate today,” she regretted.

"And of course, since the debate does not exist and the level of awareness is ridiculously low, you are contributing with impunity to the destruction of the present and future environment."

Joe Biden doubles US targets

“You get by today, but sooner or later people are going to achieve everything you've done,” she warned them. "You still have time to do the right thing and to preserve your legacy honestly, but this window will close." “We young people are the ones who will talk about you in history books. We will choose how you will be remembered. Make the right choices, ”she added.

Joe Biden, on the other hand, called on the world to “take action” on the climate by unveiling a new target for reducing polluting emissions, a posture applauded by the international community after the denial of the Trump years. The 46th President of the United States has promised to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the world's largest economy from 50% to 52% by 2030 compared to 2005. He has however at this stage remained elusive on the means concrete measures to achieve this. Its gigantic infrastructure plan with an important ecological transition component could indeed meet with real resistance in Congress. This objective almost doubles Washington's former commitment of a decrease from 26% to 28% by 2025.

"I am delighted to see that the United States is back to work with us on the climate," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, echoing the words of French Presidents Emmanuel Macron and South African Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa.

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