Our House is on Fire by Greta Thunberg || Summary || Class 11 || Optional English

 

Who is Greta Thunberg?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international attention for her efforts to raise awareness about climate change and demand action from world leaders. She first gained prominence in 2018 at the age of 15, when she began protesting outside the Swedish parliament during school hours, holding a sign that read "Skolstrejk för klimatet" (School strike for climate). Her actions inspired a global youth-led movement, with millions of students around the world participating in similar protests.

Since then, Thunberg has become a leading voice in the climate movement, speaking at numerous international conferences and events, and meeting with world leaders to demand action on climate change. She has been recognized for her activism with numerous awards, including TIME magazine's Person of the Year for 2019, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times.

About this Essay:
-This essay is a speech delivered by Greta Thunberg at the 50th anniversary of World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland in 2019. She raises the environmental issues, climate crisis and conservation of the planet Earth in this essay.
-Implied audiences: World leaders

Summary
"Our House Is on Fire" is a speech delivered by climate activist Greta Thunberg at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2019. In the speech, Thunberg emphasizes(जोड दिनु) the urgency of the climate crisis and calls on leaders to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions(उत्सर्जन) and limit global warming.

Thunberg draws attention to the fact that despite the overwhelming(great) evidence of the severity(अम्भिरता) of the climate crisis, leaders continue to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. She points out that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, and that the effects of climate change, such as extreme(जटिल) weather events and rising sea levels, are already being felt by people around the world.

Thunberg emphasizes that it is the responsibility of those in power to take action to address the crisis, rather than relying(भर पर्नु) on individual actions such as recycling and reducing plastic use. She calls on leaders to listen to the science and to take the necessary steps to transition to renewable(नविकरणिय) energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The speech ends with a call to action, urging(requesting) people to join the global climate strike movement and demanding that leaders take immediate and meaningful action to address the climate crisis.

MCQs:
1. What was the occasion of Greta's speech?
a. Anniversary of World Economic Forum
b. Summit of United Nations
c. Summit of European Union
d.Summit of ASEAN

2. What concern is Greta raising in her speech?
a. about human trafficking
b. environmental concern
c. anti-terrorism
d. poverty allivetation

3. Who are the implied audiences of her speech?
a. citizens of the world
b. world leaders
c. environmentalists
d. greenhouse gas-emitting companies

4. What does the term "house" refer to in the essay?
a. Greta's own house
b. Earth
c. Universe
d. Europe continent

5. Where was the 50th anniversary of World Economic Forum held?
a. Oslo, Norway
b. Dublin, Ireland
c. London, UK
d. Davos, Switzerland

Question-Answers:
1. Why can't planting trees replace real mitigation and rewilding nature?
Ans: While planting trees is an important measure in mitigating the effects of climate change, Greta Thunberg argues that it is not enough on its own to address the scale of the problem. She believes that a more comprehensive approach is needed, which includes both mitigation and rewilding nature.

Planting trees is often touted as a solution to offset carbon emissions, as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. However, Thunberg argues that this approach overlooks the complexity and interconnectivity of ecosystems. She believes that a holistic approach that includes the protection and restoration of natural habitats is essential to address the root causes of climate change.

2. Why, according to Greta Thunberg, have party politics failed?
Ans:
Greta Thunberg, argues that party politics have failed to address the urgent issue of climate change. She believes that the current political system is too focused on short-term goals and interests, often at the expense of long-term sustainability. She has criticized politicians for being too hesitant to take bold actions that are necessary to combat climate change, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She believes that politicians are too concerned with pleasing their constituents and avoiding controversy, rather than taking decisive action to address the urgent environmental crisis.

3. What does Greta demand in her speech?
Ans: In her speech at the World Economic Forum in 2019, Greta Thunberg demanded that world leaders and businesses take urgent and immediate action to address the climate crisis.

4. What is the message of Greta Thunberg's speech "Our House is on Fire"?
Ans: The key message of her speech is that humanity is facing a global emergency that requires a radical and immediate response from world leaders, businesses, and individuals.
Thunberg urged her audience to recognize the reality of the climate crisis and the severe consequences that will result if we fail to take action. She emphasized that climate change is not a distant or abstract threat, but a present reality that is affecting millions of people around the world.

5. Discuss the metaphor of "a house on a fire" Greta Thunberg has used in her speech.
Ans:  In her speech "Our House is on Fire," Greta Thunberg used the metaphor of a house on fire to describe the urgent and dire situation of the climate crisis. The metaphor is a powerful and effective way to convey the urgency of the situation, as it highlights the need for immediate and urgent action to prevent catastrophic consequences.

The metaphor of a house on fire is particularly effective because it is a common and relatable scenario. When a house is on fire, people recognize the seriousness of the situation and the need to act quickly and decisively to extinguish the flames and save lives. Thunberg uses this metaphor to convey the same urgency and importance of addressing the climate crisis.

The metaphor of a house on fire also emphasizes the interconnectedness of the global community. Just as a fire in one part of a house can quickly spread and threaten the entire structure, the impacts of climate change are not contained within national borders but affect the entire planet. This highlights the need for global cooperation and action to address the crisis.

Overall, Thunberg's use of the metaphor of a house on fire effectively conveys the urgency and seriousness of the climate crisis and underscores the need for immediate and decisive action to address it.