'If we don't change, we're f*cked': Greta Thunberg criticizes policymakers in new video

In a new short film titled For Nature, young climate activist Greta Thunberg explores how communities and policymakers play a critical role in abating public crises, including climate change. Connecting the dots between the climate crisis, ecological emergency, and the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to other public health crises, Thunberg makes the case for immediate, active, and intentional shifts in policy. The short film was conceived by the activist and produced by the international animal rights nonprofit organization Mercy for Animals. For Nature was released on Saturday, just in time for the International Day for Biological Diversity, EcoWatch reports.

In clips uploaded online, Thunberg can be seen discussing how policymakers and community-based organizing can mend people's relationships with wildlife, and at the same time radically change our food systems. The climate activist explains how people's land use, agricultural practices, and the exploitation of animals all create "the perfect conditions for diseases to spill over from one animal to another" and, of course, to humans as well. She reiterates (and perhaps warns us all) that while the global community may currently be getting the Coronavirus pandemic under control through the distribution of vaccines, "the next pandemic could be much much worse."

Thunberg also criticizes the use of fossil fuels for energy. She explains that a quarter of all fossil fuel emissions come from agriculture and land use, and highlights that although 83 percent of the world's agricultural land is used to feed livestock with soy, corn, and wheat, livestock only provides 18 percent of human's calories. This agricultural land could alternatively be utilized to feed human beings, she points out. "It just doesn't make sense," the activist states in the short film. "The land requirements of meat and dairy production are equivalent to North and South America combined... We have industrialized life on Earth."

In the past, scientists and environmentalists have echoed Thunberg's statements, with many commenting on how humans' habitat destruction and other exploitative practices continue to push the human species closer to other animals. This, ultimately, makes it more likely that diseases will "spill over from one animal to another and to us." The climate activist adds, "[75 percent of immune diseases] come from other animals because of the way we farm and treat nature." Her most powerful criticism in the film, nonetheless, was this message: "Let's face it—if we don't change, we're f*cked. But we can change. We can change the way we farm, we can change what we eat, we can change how we treat nature. Some of us have lots of choices while some have none of them. Those with the most power have the most responsibility."

She also issued a statement to compel policymakers and community leaders to act now. Thunberg called on governments to "help farmers transition to a plant-based farming model that is better for their livelihoods, local communities, the environment, and the animals." She affirmed, "We need to rethink how we value and treat nature in order to safeguard future and present living conditions for life on Earth. We all, of course, have different opportunities and responsibilities, but most of us can at least do something—no matter how small."