Time names climate activist Thunberg, Twitter applauds

New York, Dec 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Swedish climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg trended on social media on Wednesday after Time magazine announced her name as 'Person of the Year'. The magazine tweeted: @GretaThunberg is TIME's 2019 Person of the Year; #TIMEPOY", which got 30.5K retweets and 87.2K likes.

Fans posted congratulatory messages to the 16-year-old, who is the youngest individual to be thus recognised.

Time editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said that Thunberg has become the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet and "the avatar of a broader generational shift in our culture that is playing out everywhere from the campuses of Hong Kong to the halls of Congress in Washington."

Replying to @TIME and @GretaThunberg, one Twitter user commented: "Hi Greta, congratulations on your huge achievement at such a young age! I hope you can further spread environmental issues to the people in the world, and let's build a more sustainable future. Hong Kong protesters are honoured to list at the top five together with you."

There were others who were clearly not amused by the development, with quite a few who had rooted for Hong Kong protesters for the honour. One user wrote: "She basically does nothing except for her exaggerated emotion towards climate change & she offers no practical solutions for the governments on how to save the earth. Why is she the person of the year?"

One user commented: "Because of her impact. She doesn't have to offer solutions. Any meaningful change on the climate issue can only succeed with people feeling inspired to change, and it needs a figurehead."

"You may not personally feel inspired, but millions do." One post read: "Congrats @GretaThunberg for celebrating the power of youth. On the other side of the world, a group of youth are fighting to live in a free world and we really need your help!"

Source: IANS