Greta Thunberg's UN speech: BBC News Review

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg made an emotional speech to world leaders at the UN climate change summit in New York. She didn't appear too pleased when US President Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance. Learn about this news story and study its vocabulary in this free English class.
The story
Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg says: "People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!"
Key words and phrases
fairy tales
stories people have invented which disguise the truth
• The idea that there can be zero unemployment is just a fairy tale.
• It's a fairy tale to think humans could live on Mars.
death stare
look of hatred aimed at a person
• She gave her boss a death stare then announced she was quitting.
• Rob gave Neil a death stare after he took the last biscuit.
how dare you
used to express anger at someone's actions
• You borrowed my clothes without asking! How dare you!
• How dare they put the price of flights up during school holidays!
Language challenge
Which word means 'criticise someone strongly in public'?
a) renounce
b) denounce
c) announce
For the answer, watch this on our website: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/...
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Please use English when you comment.
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[@bbclearningenglish]

Why is the Amazon rainforest important when it comes to climate change? We explain the science and bring you the English vocabulary to discuss it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXesonyomtWEl5I

[@Leisureunlimited]

I love studying with BBC channel so much😍

[@adrianoalves20]

The Amazon is ours 🇧🇷

[@RestingBitchface7]

BBC Learning English the Amazon is not the lungs of the world. It’s atmosphere is sequestered.

[@lukeskywalker-thwaits8180]

Canadian film maker Rob Stewart was murdered for making his second movie called REVOLUTION released in 2012. Also, Captain Paul Watson on Real Time with Bill Maher in 2013, and Dr. Edwin Lyman on Real Time with Bill Maher in 2013. When you watched these videos at the time, were you deaf and blind?

[@stevesanzari7294]

It helps produce The Planets Oxygen ! and helps produce Rain ! Sort of ?

[@calvinmasters6159]

"How Dare You? That was the last Biscuit" - great idea for a T-shirt.

[@bbclearningenglish]

🤣 We look forward to seeing people them on the high street soon!

[@calvinmasters6159]

@@bbclearningenglish I fear that by the time I have the shirts printed, the issue will have blown over and my new apparel will be irrelevant. There's so much blowback on this marionette now.

[@thegreath.sapiensapien6907]

Its the SUN that controls the climate input, not human beings, climates always change seen diapause time, its a big fat FRAUD on Humanity spirit.

[@pappubarman9559]

😅

[@brigittesaint-pe2604]

🙂

[@user-ye5kj9hr7b]

It's a great service provided by BBC . Love you all for your tremendous efforts towards teaching the language. Lot's of love from India.

[@2kesayota942]

I don't know why, but I understand almost everything you said, however when my teacher puts on the CD for listening part, I don't understand anything! 🤔

[@bbclearningenglish]

🤪 Maybe it's because you are watching with video and it makes it slightly easier? As we always, though, practice makes perfect! Keep practising with us every day and we're sure that the listening CD will become easy one day! 👍

[@senjam.5580]

Haha, that has happened to me also. Usually the language is just deliberately more difficult in those CDs. Many stories are also made be harder to follow, just that you won't just deduce the answer from the context. Being nervous while listening has also affected to my results haha.

[@2kesayota942]

@@senjam.5580 I'm with you! I'm always very nervous when the CD starts 😆

[@2kesayota942]

@@bluelight2350 yes, absolutely! Very fast! Thank you 🙂

[@Bandit-hd4nf]

@@bbclearningenglish "practicing"

[@jluclacour47]

Thank you for adding subtitles, so helpful 😃😃

[@Se7enTam]

Thanks for adding subtitles, it's really helpful!

[@garyhallford7422]

Brilliant examples from essential news stories. I just subscribed not as a student, but as an educator. Keep up the great work!

[@nguyenminhthao9926]

Thank Neil and Catherine for this video

[@xiaoQiangQiang]

A great video, as always. By the way, I would like to mention that there is a bug on the webpage of this News Review, when you click on download pdf or audio it says that they don´t exist, hope you guys can fix it although I am not sure if this is the right way to submit this problem, haha

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Bob. We are glad you like our video. And we have the goods for you: Here's the text: downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsreview/unit_1/190924_news_review_greta_thunberg.pdf And the audio: downloads.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsreview/unit_1/190924_news_review_greta_thunberg_download.mp3

[@alanfarhadi3190]

I wish I could speak English language like you do. Such a clear and clean accent!! Thank you so much.

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Alan. Your English could be as good as Greta's. We have some very useful videos for you. You'll find them here: bbc.in/ZkbLFP

[@masoudhaidary1173]

i really appreciate what has been thought by your learning program, it really helps our english. but i have a suggestion. if u start teaching IELTS, or TOEFL skills I would be very pleased. thanks

[@emyeman4575]

Hi 🙋🏼‍♀️ Great as always , thanks a lot 🌹 I always use “ how dare you “ 😡 😄 But does these expressions ( all of them ) use both in formal and informal situations ? 🤔

[@bbclearningenglish]

Well, it might be OK for a boss to use "how dare you!", but we probably wouldn't recommend that an employee use it in an informal situation! Death stare and fairy tales are not particularly formal words, but denounce is definitely a formal word that could be used in any situation. 👍

[@emyeman4575]

BBC Learning English Thanks again 🌹 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@jennifer6773]

I really appreciate all of you guys! I’m really enjoying watching and listening BBC almost everyday!! This is the best one I’ve ever tried! They are very helpful to understand with various topics from real news around world!!

[@bbclearningenglish]

Thanks! You can find more of our News Review videos here: bit.ly/2K0Fdf0 🙂

[@mitrakia4953]

Neil i was convinced that you’ ve been ousted from your position as the main presenter of News Review . Dan has got too comfy in your chair with armrest and confusing vapours . Even though i love Dan it’s great to see you again 🤓😁 ! Yes you can say that this one has followed you from the very beginning < she must be really confused 😬> A very big thank to all the bbc learning english team 👍👍👍

[@bbclearningenglish]

Thank you, Mitra. 😂 We can see that you like a bit of drama. We have great stories for you - they are entertaining and help you improve your English. You'll find them here: bbc.in/1y93GxQ

[@tsuyu6889]

Thanks for the news, I am here for the message, I am totally agree with what she want. I want other people talk about the content and less about the media. We need turn around and see. This can be a opportunity for a change. This is about what we can do, it is about respect and self-control and responsible consumerism for to help others... plants and animals even the human life. By the way if someone have to say something about this, please give me a good argument with a true information resources. Thanks

[@richardmiller2049]

Shut up

[@ahmedfarraj22]

Hi Fairy tale,death stare and how dare you are amazing vocabulary and expressions, I'd like to use them in my English speech besides formal and informal writing as well. Thanks for BBC learning English channel.

[@bbclearningenglish]

You're welcome! Let us know how it goes when you use them..! 🙂

[@odairnoboa2769]

Thanks. Watching!!! from Spain

[@amirgb3259]

Why you don't have eng sub every where? :(

[@moulmour]

I knew 2 of the 3, but now i know all of them. Thanks a ton BBC!

[@benjaminestrada1670]

THANKYOU GREETINGS from México

[@taherelsayed8044]

Thank you so much for all your efforts

[@LoloLolo-vv2pv]

All love from Jordan 🇯🇴

[@myriamdimakopoulou6299]

a bit below the « death stare » stands the « glare »...am I right ?

[@CristinadelaLuz]

I like all the presenters...Neil, Catherine, and Dan...I like Tom but we haven`t seen him lately though.

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Khristina. Thank you for your comment. It's nice to be appreciated. Tom will be back soon.

[@achintyahaldar6626]

I always prefer your program, specially in which, we could see you people in news room.Thank you.

[@DuongTrongHue]

How dare you put many invaluable materials as a free charge! Appreciated for doing that

[@bbclearningenglish]

Great usage of the new phrase! Thanks for contributing!

[@SAIFULISLAM-vt3ju]

Woooow, Niel is back to The News Review, but what about Shun? Is she no longer in BBC Learning English?

[@sakirhossain2016]

I enjoyed much from Rob and Nail together.

[@alessandra6612]

I'm having problems to listen this on the 6 minute English app, am I the only?

[@alejandrocubillas]

thanks neil

[@shreenjandutta]

I was watching her speech on TV yesterday and to be honest her lively attitude,the charm, the determination and the kind of indomitable spirit that she possesed really intrigued me. It's hard to believe that she's that young.

[@bbclearningenglish]

Regardless of opinion of her views, it has to be admitted that she is a powerful speaker for someone at such a young age. They are not many teenagers who could give such a confident presentation on a huge stage like that..!

[@shreenjandutta]

@@bbclearningenglish Yeah, seriously. It needs audacity to present an inspiring speech in front of a massive no of people.

[@corywiedenbeck1562]

The kid was probably raised in the occult by satanist

[@E12_Cuong]

Oh! That is great. I love BBC learning English!!!

[@C.S.D777]

Hi Neil, good evening

[@yovanipahuara9345]

Best section

[@evenightingale6865]

Natural fires in the Amazon are below average this year.

[@tgchan]

Thank you, BBC. 💚

[@rustamgumarov1494]

- I want to speak in English as a native - How dare you :D

[@maurocastagnera8949]

I think that if you want to speak like a native English you have to go to an English country and stay there for few months. There isn't an other way.

[@enny1001]

Waw, quick response!

[@RaageOnlineAcademy]

I learnt very useful words today

[@dubeyji248]

mukhtaar raage HAY

[@hriiyizhuosiikruna9889]

People will always judge her yet still doesn't make a bigger movement like her.!

[@hananlilya3507]

This life isn't a fairy tales I gave my brother a death stare when he took my bag How dare u

[@aprendizagem]

I Will speak in UN One day. It's not a fairy tales.

[@davidwealthyguerrero3738]

Cool and the best! 🙃👍

[@indrassen1]

That's death stare makes me laugh.so funny.you make my day Neil.cheers

[@Supraboyes]

How much is she making from this🤔

[@arenk3825]

Gooood job😊😊

[@peaceinlife4753]

Love you I am from India

[@12baktun13ahau]

So funny! We are in a perilous downward cycle and yet this is your best commentary, “fools!” Dancing about in the queen’s court.

[@baongocdang2995]

THANKS BBC A LOT. I CAN GAIN SOME USEFUL WORDS FROM EACH VIDEO. Also, I can boost my listening skill.

[@stereotypo1]

"How dare you?!...Thank you."

[@ariefhidayatullah938]

Nice

[@aligbeer]

Also we can say I dare you for challenge someone

[@tim5487]

Thanks.

[@vladimir7031]

Thank you!)

[@bbclearningenglish]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. 😃

[@dipisha4506]

Hlw!! BBC i recommend you to make video on BTS speech in UNICEF I really want to learn from them....🙏🙏🙏

[@bbclearningenglish]

We don't know much about this speech. What did they talk about?

[@dipisha4506]

@@bbclearningenglish They talked about #EndViolence# in UNICEF.. And i am sure that if you search RM speech in UNICEF in youtube obviously you can find it in addition there is no doubt that you can find alots of vocabulary to explain...🙏🙏🙏so plz make video on it ...and i am sure that there are a lots of army out there to listen BBC learning english then they really appreciate your work on this...so plz plzplz🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@aureliolopes79]

the best english channel on youtube

[@bbclearningenglish]

thank you!

[@pappubarman9559]

Does u people not thinking she was giving dialogue yah also with emotions 🤣.... Gyzz make a laugh from one side on her expressions😅

[@rn0z_]

Very enjoy

[@ZulfiraToxirjonova-pl4oi]

Is there no words of this topic ?

[@bbclearningenglish]

The words are: 'fairy tales', 'death stare' and 'how dare you' - You can learn more about them on our website here: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/newsreview/unit-11/session-109

[@anashajyoussef2905]

stare -stair ..is there any difference in pronunciation?

[@user-ne4nz6hx2t]

Anas Hyousef No. They are pronounced the same

[@anashajyoussef2905]

@@user-ne4nz6hx2t thank you.

[@catspetportugueclasseferna1430]

Good classe

[@sinukg9447]

I wish I could speak English like you people.

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Sinu. You can speak English well. Visit our website for more videos, guides and quizzes to help you improve your English. www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/ 😉

[@tysonflax4566]

This little girl is going to save the world. They will be talking about her in a million years. This is special and we are witnessing one of history’s greatest leaders like Cleopatra.. What a moment!!!

[@marianatividaddelangelhern4620]

Excelent

[@TheGudsProduction]

It's a fairy tale to consider that humans could live under the sea. My mum gave me a death stare when I did something bad to her cats. How dare they to put the price of train tickets up during Eid ul-Fitr holidays!

[@bbclearningenglish]

Great use of today's new vocabulary and phrases! 👍

[@TheGudsProduction]

@@bbclearningenglish thank you

[@mike5081]

all of us living on the earth should know this news and fight against climate change

[@danlovepeaceunity]

God says dont worry about it!

[@corywiedenbeck1562]

Climate change by humans is a fairytale

[@danthink]

Neil

[@HaroldoTajra]

Where's Rob? Did BBC run out of biscuits so he haven't come to work in the last weeks? :D :

[@bbclearningenglish]

Hi Haroldo. Well, you know Rob... 😋🍪🍪🍪 😂😂😂

[@Sunny-jt1sk]

thanks for sharing this, I completely got goosebumps when hearing the speech of that girl. it's the time for protecting the planet and warning us about the anger of Mother Nature.

[@brigittesaint-pe2604]

Hello to both of you. It seems that Greta is currently the person whose people talk the most across the whole Europe. A lot of people talk her down . Personaly, I feel that Greta makes too much..I don't believe her tears. But, anyway. Whoever the people who are behind her, I can't help but see the fantastic message she is giving to the world and that is a great story.

[@RaageOnlineAcademy]

The answer is B

[@bbclearningenglish]

Well done, mukhtaar raage!

[@abbymaddox3938]

What kind of review is this? irritating

[@youstinas.daoud10]

🍵 She lied to me, she told me a fairy tale. 🍵 How dare you touch me? I'm your teacher. 🍵 She gave her husband a death stare, then she went out.

[@mamymimma]

I'd like to know your opinion about her English - I think it was good, wasn't it?

[@bbclearningenglish]

Greta's English is great and she expresses herself very well. So, we agree wirth you - it was good. What do you think about the points she raises?

[@mamymimma]

BBC Learning English I was impressed, and I'm sorry about negative comments about her: I appreciate it when young people fight for their values, rather than wasting their time and energy

[@petergriffinfromfamilyguy356]

my wife, louis, left me

[@tubeMonger]

I've really started to dislike the Swedish accent.

[@tonyrec9832]

👌

[@puiuvrancianu6959]

Of course, to come with one fire alarm is very necessary, but the same is very necessary to come with a solution and results o good practices. A good solution must promote around the world!

[@tafrero2514]

Congratulations! You both talked about an important isuue!

[@KenzoAngel]

I can’t spend a day without watching BBC news review 😘😏

[@PauloSilva-il8wf]

Good morning, and holy to see you soon too, bye, bye !!!

[@gernlife6754]

❤️

[@rebazosman1240]

...

[@francelowlander]

nutt case

[@innismor11]

Can't wait for Trump's reaction when he's staring at his Time Magazine cover at end of the year, and their staring right at him, is the scowling face of Greta Thunberg, Time's Person of the Year.

[@davidfcollis9638]

What a load of RUBBISH ! They are members of the Labour party no doubt ! TRUMP WILL WIN AGAIN ! Wait and see LOL

[@Riveringot]

Hey hi hello 😀😀😀😀😀 everybody.

[@scottbros6368]

It's pronounced gREEEEE'ta???

[@Terenablakely]

Just wonder if she was a black poor African she would have the same attention

[@Terenablakely]

What michael!? They’re voiceless dear they’re voiceless. That’s why nobody cares about their suffering and hungry!

[@henrydigskills4535]

Thank God I don't pay the marxist fee.

[@user-yg3bp6ty4s]

Please Russian slang - это было круто.. я ржал ))

[@c.g.c2067]

We Have to be ecologists in order to justify and legalize the fact that our religion is to produce more and more, consume more and more

[@geoffreygushue2280]

" Entire ecosystems are collapsing"...could anyone name one? And Greta, we are not running out of CO2, the science is clear!

[@zebrasnot6819]

entire ocean ecosystems are collapsing... baby boomers just hate that a teenager is has more sense than them

[@geoffreygushue2280]

@@zebrasnot6819 Entire ocean ecosystems are collapsing...let me rephrase.. anybody with proof, or facts, or science! What's with the baby boomer remark? Greta said the science was "crystal clear", anybody?

[@farshid8734]

Almost the majority of the news reviews are presented by Catherine, please consider some variety

[@SirViving]

HOW DARE YOU ! !

[@erossutra4064]

Greta Thunberg owns the rights to the phrase, ‘how dare you!’, so, this is copyright infringement on your part.

[@TheTawakul]

Quite pathetic to take a speech of an intelligent young lady who desperately tries to address 'adult' children on climate change while you don't act differently from such 'adults' and make fun of it (I almost got asleep)

[@auliara31]

First woohoo

[@hectormartinez2566]

Jajajajahahaha

[@markmolter6937]

Laughable

[@GregoryJByrne]

Earth has a closed co2 loop