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Some people say that I should be in school instead. But why should any young person be made to study for a future when no one is doing enough to save that future?

Greta Tintin Eleanora Ernman Thunberg

Speech at the UN Climate Change COP24 Conference, Katowice, 2018 · Checked on 28 February 2026
Some people say that I should be in school instead. But why should any young person be made to study for a future when no one is doing enough to save that future?

Analysis

The statement matches **word-for-word** the transcript of Thunberg’s speech published by the **UNFCCC** and corroborated by major news outlets (e.g., *The Guardian*, *BBC*). The rhetorical question about studying for a future under threat aligns with her documented activism focus at the time—criticizing inadequate climate action. No credible sources dispute the attribution or content of the quote. The context (COP24, Katowice, 2018) is also correct.

Background

Greta Thunberg, then 15, rose to prominence in 2018 after initiating the **School Strike for Climate** movement. Her **COP24 speech** (Dec 4, 2018) was a pivotal moment, amplifying youth demands for urgent climate policy. The event was livestreamed by the UN and covered globally, with the quote becoming iconic in climate discourse.

Verdict summary

Greta Thunberg accurately quoted her own statement from the **COP24 UN Climate Conference in December 2018**, as verified by official transcripts and widely reported media coverage.

Sources consulted

— UNFCCC Official Transcript (2018). *Speech by Greta Thunberg at COP24*. [UN Climate Change](https://unfccc.int/news/greta-thunberg-speech-at-cop24)
— The Guardian (2018). *'You are not mature enough': Greta Thunberg’s full speech to UN COP24*. [Article](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/04/you-are-not-mature-enough-greta-thunbergs-full-speech-to-un-cop24)
— BBC News (2018). *Climate change: Greta Thunberg tells UN ‘you are not mature enough’*. [Article](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-46441690)
— YouTube. *UN Climate Change (2018). Greta Thunberg at COP24*. [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFkQsCbiT3E)