Four young activists including Greta Thunberg told those gathered at the World Economic Forum that they were not doing enough to deal with the climate emergency – and time was running out.
At a panel in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, the four said Tuesday that they hoped their generation had found its voice and could work with those in power to bring about the necessary change.
Ms Thunberg, 17, told the forum that governments had done "basically nothing" to reverse climate change.
"We need to start listening to the science and treat this crisis with the importance it deserves," she said, as US President Donald Trump was arriving in Davos, where he later gave a speech.
"Without treating it as a real crisis, we cannot solve it."
Mr Trump pulled the US out of the Paris accord limiting global warming and has traded barbs with Ms Thunberg on social media.
The Swedish teenager came to fame by staging a regular strike at her school, sparking a global movement that eventually made her Time Magazine's 2019 Person of the Year.
Ms Thunberg said that people were more aware about climate issues now.
"It feels like the climate and environment is a hot topic now, thanks to young people pushing," she said.
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US President Donald Trump addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos. AFP -
Greta Thunberg, climate activist, attends a special address by US President Donald Trump in Davos. Bloomberg -
Former US Vice President Al Gore sits in the audience and listens as US President Donald Trump delivers the opening remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. AP Photo -
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner listen as US President Donald Trump delivers a speech in Davos. Reuters -
US President Donald Trump is greeted by Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab at the World Economic Forum in Davos. AP Photo -
Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei attends a session during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos. AFP -
Marc Benioff, billionaire and co-founder and chief executive officer of Salesforce.com Inc., sits in the audience ahead of the special address by US President Donald Trump in Davos. Bloomberg -
A helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump flies over the Swiss Alps on his way to Davos. AFP -
Attendees wait outside the main Congress Hall ahead of the special address by U.S. President Donald Trump, on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Bloomberg -
Salvador Gomez-Colon, founder of Light & Hope for Puerto Rico, Greta Thunberg, climate activist, and Autumn Peltier, chief water commissioner of the Anishinabek nation, take part in a panel session on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Bloomberg -
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Canadian climate and environmental activist Autumn Peltier attend a session at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum in Davos. AFP -
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a session at the Congress centre during the World Economic Forum in Davos. AFP -
King Philippe of Belgium, sits in the audience for the panel with Greta Thunberg, climate activist, on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Bloomberg -
US President Donald Trump waves as he arrives in Davos, Switzerland on Marine One. AP Photo -
Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, left, gestures while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talks with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, second right, during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. AP Photo -
Punit Renjen, CEO of the multinational professional services firm Deloitte, moderates a panel session during the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. EPA -
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A police officer stands guard near the Congress Center ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. Reuters -
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, conducts media interviews interviews ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Bloomberg -
Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, yogi and author, pauses inside the Congress Centre ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Bloomberg -
Indian actress Deepika Padukone (right) receive a trophy from Hilde Schwab, Chairwoman and Co-Founder of the World Economic Forum's World Arts Forum during the "Crystal Award" ceremony at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. AFP -
Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, left, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, pictured during the welcoming address to the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos. EPA -
Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, pictured during his welcoming address the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos. EPA
The others on the panel were just as forceful and passionate about the effects of global warming and how they, as young people, needed to raisw awareness and insist on change.
"The older generation has a lot of experience, but we have ideas, we have energy, and we have solutions," said Natasha Wang Mwansa, 18, a Zambian campaigner for girls' and women's rights.
Ms Thunberg said the time for action was now and that being at the top of the agenda meant nothing if the world did not come to grips with the climate emergency.
"I am not the person who can complain about not being heard. I'm being heard all the time," she quipped.
"But in general, the science and the voice of young people is not in the centre of the conversation."
Autumn Peltier, 15, the chief water commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation of indigenous people in Canada, said plaudits were not what the young activists were looking for at the Forum.
"I don't want your awards," Ms Peltier said. "If you are going to award me, award me with helping to find solutions and helping to make change."
