Brian Barton
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been vocal about her views on climate change and has often called out world leaders for their inaction. In 2021, she faced criticism from Chinese state media, which accused her of fat-shaming and having double standards for targeting China's annual emissions without addressing the European and American way of life. Thunberg has also supported Hong Kong democracy activists, further drawing the ire of Chinese netizens. While some Chinese youth face constraints in climate activism, Thunberg's message has not gained widespread support in mainland China, where climate change is seen predominantly as a government responsibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public opinion in China | Greta Thunberg's message was largely unheeded by the Chinese public and online community. |
| Chinese media | Chinese state media has criticized Thunberg for her comments on China's emissions, accusing her of "double standards" and "falling for a PR stunt". |
| Chinese government | The Chinese government has shut down local environmental groups as concerns about air pollution become more acute. |
| Chinese netizens | Some Chinese netizens have called Thunberg a "puppet of Western politicians" and criticized her for not commenting on Japan's nuclear-contaminated water dumping. |
| Chinese youth | Climate change activism among Chinese youth is constrained by politics and priorities. |
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What You'll Learn
Greta Thunberg's message to China
Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, has been vocal about her criticism of world leaders' inaction on climate change. At the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, she delivered an emotional message, stating, "How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words." While Thunberg received acclaim for her achievements, including founding the Youth Strike for Climate movement, her message did not resonate with the majority in mainland China.
In 2021, Thunberg faced backlash from Chinese state media and social media users who accused her of having "double standards" by targeting China's annual emissions without addressing similar issues in developed nations like the United States and Japan. She was also criticized for her support of Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong and for her silence on Japan's decision to dump nuclear-contaminated water. Some Chinese netizens and commentators labelled her a "puppet of Western politicians" and questioned her commitment to environmental protection.
Despite the criticism, Thunberg maintains that China, as the world's largest emitter, must drastically change course to address the climate crisis. She acknowledges that China is a developing nation but argues that this is "no excuse for ruining future and present living conditions." Thunberg's message to China underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for global cooperation, with developed nations leading the way in reducing emissions to preserve living standards worldwide.
While Thunberg's direct engagement with China may be limited, her impact on the global climate movement has been significant. Her activism has inspired youth worldwide to demand action from their leaders and hold them accountable for their promises. Thunberg's message to China, therefore, resonates beyond her own words, as she has empowered a generation to advocate for urgent climate action and challenge the status quo.
In conclusion, Greta Thunberg's message to China is a call for accountability and urgent action on climate change. While her direct criticism of China's emissions has sparked controversy, her broader impact on raising global awareness and mobilizing youth cannot be understated. Thunberg's advocacy challenges China and other nations to prioritize environmental protection and work towards a sustainable future for all.
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Chinese public opinion of Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist, has had a varied reception from the Chinese public. Initially, she faced widespread criticism on Chinese social media, with many dismissing her activism and actions on environmental issues. However, public sentiment towards her appears to have shifted, particularly after her bid to call attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Thunberg's journey, from departure to deportation, was closely followed on Chinese social media, indicating a change in how she was perceived.
In terms of her environmental activism, Thunberg's message has largely fallen on deaf ears in mainland China. There is a general public apathy towards climate change in the country, with the issue being mostly muted in Chinese-language media. Climate change is seen as a government responsibility rather than an individual concern. As a result, there is little discussion about reducing electricity usage or curbing air travel.
Despite Thunberg's global recognition and impact, with her founding of the Youth Strike for Climate movement and inspiring millions to join the global climate strike, she has not garnered majority support in China. The country's online community was largely indifferent to her emotional address to the UN's Climate Action Summit in 2019, where she criticised world leaders for their inaction.
The lack of a strong Chinese youth climate movement, akin to those inspired by Thunberg globally, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a culture of political and priority constraints that hinder climate change activism among young people. Additionally, the Chinese government has been shutting down local environmental groups as quality-of-life issues, such as air pollution, become more acute. An activist like Thunberg could face censorship or even imprisonment in China due to the country's strict stance on depictions of disasters in Chinese cities.
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Chinese state media's criticism of Greta Thunberg
Chinese state media has been critical of Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist known for her global efforts to address climate change. Thunberg has been vocal about China's role in the climate crisis, urging the country to reduce its carbon emissions and take more significant action. However, her message has not been well-received by all in China, and she has faced backlash from state-owned media outlets and online critics.
In 2021, Chinese state media was accused of fat-shaming Thunberg and publishing scathing articles that mocked her weight. An article published in "'China Daily,' a Communist Party-owned outlet, labelled Thunberg an "environmental princess" and questioned her vegetarianism, suggesting that her carbon emissions were high despite her claims to the contrary. The article, written by Tang Ge, also accused Thunberg of having "double standards" by targeting China while refusing to criticise Western lifestyles that contribute significantly to pollution.
Chinese social media users joined the criticism, with top comments on platforms like WeChat and Weibo echoing the state media's sentiments. They accused Thunberg of having a selective focus on China while ignoring issues in other countries, such as Japan's plan to release treated wastewater. Thunberg's brand of activism, which has inspired young climate campaigners in China, may have contributed to the negative reactions as it challenges the established narrative and priorities within the country.
However, it is important to note that Thunberg's reception in China has not been entirely negative. While her initial activism earned her the online reference "the environmental girl", her efforts to call attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2025 led to a shift in public sentiment. Chinese social media users began to express respect for her consistent support for Palestine and her willingness to risk her life for her beliefs. This incident marked a rare wave of support for Thunberg in mainland China, indicating a more complex relationship between her message and the Chinese public.
Overall, while Greta Thunberg's activism and criticism of China's carbon emissions have drawn backlash from Chinese state media and online critics, her persistence and dedication to addressing global environmental issues have also garnered a degree of support and recognition, even in the face of adversity.
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Chinese youth climate change activism
Climate change activism among Chinese youth faces several challenges, including political constraints, government censorship, and public apathy. China, as the world's leading greenhouse gas emitter, has faced criticism for its lack of ambitious emissions reduction targets. While Chinese President Xi Jinping has promoted the goal of constructing an "ecological civilisation," there is a disconnect between this vision and the country's continued reliance on coal-fired power.
Chinese youth activists like Howey Ou and Zhao Jiaxin have emerged as prominent voices advocating for radical carbon-cutting actions. Howey Ou, inspired by Greta Thunberg, held a school strike for climate in front of Guilin's City Hall in 2019. She was, however, met with resistance from the authorities and faced censorship on social media platforms. Zhao Jiaxin, another young activist, has been pushing for Beijing to take more aggressive action on carbon emissions.
Despite these efforts, there is a general sense of apathy towards climate change in China. It is often viewed as a government responsibility rather than an individual concern. The lack of public awareness and engagement presents a challenge to the success of climate policies. This apathy is reflected in the muted coverage of climate issues in Chinese-language media beyond Beijing's programs.
Furthermore, disasters or depictions of natural disasters in Chinese cities are a sensitive topic for China's censors due to concerns about stability. This further limits the ability of youth activists to raise awareness and spur action on climate change. The absence of a prominent youth-led climate movement in China, akin to those inspired by Greta Thunberg globally, can be attributed to these unique political and cultural factors.
However, there are some signs of growing environmental consciousness among Chinese youth. A study published in The China Quarterly journal found that younger Chinese tend to be more concerned about climate change compared to the general population. This suggests that while Chinese youth climate change activism faces significant obstacles, there is potential for change and increased engagement in the future.
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China's emissions and climate change efforts
China is the world's largest carbon emitter, producing more than a third of global CO2 emissions and a third of the world's greenhouse gases. In 2014, China and the US issued a joint announcement on climate change, which led to the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015. China was one of the first major countries to ratify the agreement, pledging to peak CO2 emissions "around 2030" and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. However, China's climate policies and commitments have been rated as "Highly Insufficient" and "Insufficient", indicating that they are not consistent with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature limit.
China's central government has adopted the "'dual-control policy' to set targets for energy intensity and total energy consumption. While wind and solar power capacity is growing, China is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and there is no clear timeline for a coal phase-out. The country's advanced technological capabilities and economic position could enable it to transition to carbon neutrality and a greener economy, but it will require significant shifts in resources, innovation, and new technologies.
Public apathy towards climate change in China is notable, with the issue being largely absent from Chinese-language media. Climate change is often seen as solely a government responsibility, and there is little individual concern about electricity usage or air travel. Environmental protection is often associated with more tangible issues like air pollution rather than climate change. As a result, there is a lack of prominent Chinese climate activists like Greta Thunberg, and Thunberg's message has not gained widespread support in mainland China.
China's transition to a low-carbon economy will require collaboration between the public and private sectors, with the private sector playing a central role in delivering market solutions and stimulating technological innovation. To achieve global climate goals, China must successfully transition to a low-carbon economy, addressing the challenges of job losses in emission-intensive sectors and supporting affected communities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but she has criticised China for its annual emissions, saying that "we can't solve the climate crisis unless China drastically changes course".
Chinese social media users accused Thunberg of being a "puppet of Western politicians" and having "double standards" for failing to criticise the US and Japan.
There is little public concern about climate change in China, and it is seen predominantly as a government responsibility. Climate activism is also constrained by politics and priorities.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who first staged a protest outside the Swedish parliament in 2018. Since then, she has gained worldwide recognition for her work, including founding the Youth Strike for Climate movement.
China, the world's biggest carbon emitter, has argued that it cannot reduce emissions without trapping millions in poverty. However, critics argue that this excuse will no longer work if climate change threatens Chinese cities.
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