Greta Thunberg praises Bristol climate change activists in appearance at Youth Strike 4 Climate March
Greta Thunberg has praised climate change activists for their action in Bristol during a speech at a Youth Strike 4 Climate march in the city.
Speaking as the headliner at a demonstration on College Green, the 17-year-old hailed local activists for their successful campaigning against the expansion of Bristol Airport.
She used the recent abandonment of the plans as an example to prove that "activism works".
The 17-year-old also used the opportunity to blame politicians, the media and those in power for not doing enough to help the environment.
She said: "Basically, nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all thebeautiful words and promises from our elected officials."
WATCH: ITV West Country reporter Robert Murphy meets Greta as she arrives at Bristol Temple Meads station.
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Police said that around 20,000 turned up to see Ms Thunberg, but other estimates suggest the crowd was closer to 30,000.
She told them "nothing is being done" to end the so-called Climate Crisis.
Then she blamed those in power around the world and said: "World leaders are behaving like children, so it falls on us to be the adults."
The 17-year-old is in Bristol today to join a Youth Strike 4 Climate demonstration. She will now march through the city centre with thousands of other young people.
Road closures have been in place since 9am this morning and are expected to be there until 5pm.
On the stage she continued: "We must continue and we have to be patient and remember that the changes required will not happen overnight."
Greta ended her passionate speech by encouraging the crowd to continue campaigning against the impacts of climate change.
The Swedish teenager said: "We will not be silenced, because we are the change and change is coming whether you like it or not."