‘Haters, Back Off’, Say Twitterati to Greta Thunberg’s Trolls

The teen activist in her fiery speech accused the world leaders of not doing enough to protect the environment.

After delivering her powerful speech at the United Nations on Monday, 23 September, Twitter was abuzz with “Greta Thunberg.”

Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist, has sparked global protest and outrage ever since her speech on climate change at the UN Climate Summit on 23 September Monday, went viral. She said:

“People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!”

Her speech struck a chord with various people on Twitter and "Greta Thunberg" and "#Greta” began to trend.

Her speech not only sparked debate and conversation around climate change, but many climate-change deniers also found her speech to be ‘ill-informed’. Many also found her wordings in the speech ‘rude’, while a Fox News guest pointed out how she suffered from ‘mental illness’, sparking further outrage.

How dare YOU to lecture our generation on stealing your dreams. We have given You & your generation much more than any previous generation has given their offspring. Come back when you’ve grown up/mature enough to have some perspective on life. @GretaThunberg #UN

— AbnRgr504 🇺🇸 (@AbnRgr504) September 23, 2019

Her mother wrote a book about her mental issues. There is nothing shameful about living with mental disorders.

What is shameful is exploiting a child—particularly a child with mental disorders—to advance your political agenda. https://t.co/oNR6iw7mRF

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) September 24, 2019

WHY EXPLOIT CHILDREN?

Greta Thunberg said the world is coming to an extinction. Why is she not at school? Why do her parents have her in a Antifa Shirt ?

Libs say we shouldn’t speak about her but they bashed the innocent covington kids.

Funny & Sad! pic.twitter.com/YRDM8SouDx

— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) September 23, 2019

Who is writing these words for her, I am not disagreeing with them but it does sound like she is fighting someone else’s battles with their words. It may very well be her view point as she was raised that way but I will be amazed if these are her words ???

— David Burns (@DaveBurns_uk) September 24, 2019

Netizens defended Greta. Ask Trolls to Back Off

That noise you're hearing is the sound of right wing climate denying idiots heads exploding. Because a 16 year old has achieved more in a year than they ever will in several lifetimes.

You go Greta!#GretaThunberg #Greta4NobelPrize https://t.co/xF4Wz8q2Np

— Daniel Best (@20thCenturyDan) September 23, 2019

ppl who keep saying that greta thunberg’s parents are manipulating her autism to force their opinions onto her.... your ableism is showing

— arica Ⓥ (@gorongirl) September 24, 2019

What an awful mother you must be. When a child with a mental disorder CAN do something, do not limit them. They are not invalid and if you raise your child this way, you are doing more harm than good.

— IronicaLeigh daBarge (@IronicaLeigh) September 24, 2019

‘I’m in Tears’: Twitter Reacts to Greta’s Speech

I am in tears. It's an absolute moral travesty that young people need to overhaul their lives to beg world leaders for a future. We can not be comfortable with this. Thank you @GretaThunberg for speaking truth to power. This should not be your burden alone.#ClimateActionSummit

— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 23, 2019

In tears. This is what truth looks and feels like. Thank you @GretaThunberg 💛🙏🏽#ClimateActionSummit #FridaysForFuture https://t.co/hTGrNUwvOK

— Dr. Katharine Wilkinson (@DrKWilkinson) September 23, 2019

Age isn’t a measurement of wisdom. A LOT can be learned by listening to and respecting our younger generations. Give it a try. Thank you Greta Thunberg. 🙌#GretaThunberg #HowDareYou
pic.twitter.com/SqyFsWlWFx

— Sarah O'Connell (@SarahO_Connell) September 24, 2019

Even US President, Donald Trump in a tweet dedicated to Greta said:

She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see! https://t.co/1tQG6QcVKO

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

Several people on Twitter even demanded a Nobel Peace prize for the 16-year-old girl.

1/ Men who are triggered by #GretaThunberg are exhibiting for the Whole World to see, a form of a public Rorschach Test. Greta is intelligent (they're not), Greta is educated (they flaunt their ignorance), Greta is a leader (they are followers), ...#Greta4NobelPrize

— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) September 23, 2019

#GretaThunberg is fierce, smart and the most inspiring role model all adults need. Don’t underestimate a young women who has passion, anger and humanity. Just ask Joan of Arc, Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai. These #trailblazers changed the world.#Greta4NobelPrize

— Sukhbir Roberts (Sukie) (@SukhbirRoberts) September 22, 2019

‘How Dare You!’

Twitter also began to trend with #HowDareYou.

#howdareyou Watch this brave young girl say it like it is! #GoGreta @GretaThunberg ♥️ https://t.co/UM1FFhVAI0

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 24, 2019

This is devastatingly powerful. @GretaThunberg gave a brutally honest assessment of where the world is at, the failure of leadership, and why it is not fair to leave saving the planet to our children and grandchildren. #howdareyou https://t.co/Kx73xl2n0U

— Sarah Hanson-Young💚 (@sarahinthesen8) September 23, 2019

The Climate Change Denier in Chief wants a Nobel Peace Prize, but his admin has overturned almost all of Obama's environmental policies, and left the #ClimateActionSummit after just 10 minutes.

In the words of Greta Thunberg:
HOW DARE YOU. #HowDareYou

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) September 23, 2019