Well before Greta Thunberg, 28 years to be exact, Severn Cullis-Suzuki spoke at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Thunberg and her emotional response at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit was completely valid. Everyone is entitled to express themselves in any way they wish and it can be frustrating trying to convince closed-minded individuals to take action. With that frustration, it is normal to cry, and Thunberg’s tears could induce an emotional response in her audience, motivating them to make a change. I was fascinated to learn that there was a predecessor to Thunberg’s speech and I connected with Cullis-Suzuki’s message and presentation more. I have learned that as long as the message is the same (take preventative action now to slow climate change), the presenter/ representative can be anyone (Thunberg or Cullis-Suzuki) that the audience can identify with. For some, they can see their daughter in Thunberg, while for me I can see myself in Cullis-Suzuki.
Cullis-Suzuki was labeled as the “girl who silenced the world” since she grasped everyone’s attention with her concerned, level tone while presenting environmental concerns and hypocrisy.
Cullis-Suzuki and three other children traveled 5,000 miles to present their speech to the summit. Paying for the trip themselves at the age of 12-13 years old. In Cullis-Suzuki’s speech, she consistently compares environmental loss with the political and financial loss. By making jabs at adults with comparisons like, “losing an election, or a few points on the stock market” she shames adults for what they place higher on their levels of concern.
What I like about Cullis- Suzuki’s speech is that she uses lessons that parents teach children back onto adults:
“If you don’t know how to fix it, please stop breaking it.”
“At school, even in kindergarten, you teach us how to behave in the world. You teach us not to fight with others, to work things out, to respect others, to clean up our mess, not to hurt other creatures, to share, not be greedy. Then, why do you go out and do — do the things you tell us not to do? “
“My dad always says, “You are what you do, not what you say.” You grown-ups say you love us. But I challenge you, please, make your actions reflect your words.”
Cullis- Suzuki treats the government delegates, business people, organizers, reporters and politicians attending the summit, as children, suggesting that they are acting like children by ‘breaking’ nonrenewable resources, being greedy, and never producing an unselfish action.
At such a young age Cullis-Suzuki spoke of the greediness Western countries possess; the inability to share resources with countries that need help. Writing to evoke emotions and ask adults to examine their actions and treat the planet with the kindness that they force their children to learn. This speech was given 28 years ago and we clearly haven’t learned. With a huge election coming up we all need to think about who to vote for. Individual actions are not enough, we need to change policies and demand more from government officials in regards to our environment.
If you would like to watch Severn Cullis- Suzuki’s speech here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJJGuIZVfLM
Personally, I am happy that a person of color from a normal financial background gave this incredible speech without crying. Cullis-Suzuki used her words to command the adult audience instead of her emotions even though she is discussing topics that pull at one’s heartstrings.