Greta Thunberg is on her way to Alberta and social media is going nuts
By now, most know of Greta Thunberg. You’ve seen the memes or heard her viral plea and have probably developed some kind of strong opinion on the teen climate activist. Well, after a controversial tour across North America, the polarizing public figure is headed to Alberta, and the people of social media are going insane. Because of course, they are.
Greta Thunberg announced her Alberta travel plans on Twitter over Thanksgiving weekend, only a day after visiting Colorado, and was met with quite the division. The Internet: Where opinion lives.
Heading north again. Now follows a few days of well needed rest while enjoying the spectacular nature of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Then on to Alberta, Canada! #slowtravel pic.twitter.com/iTfyF9ROCb
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 13, 2019
Some Albertans have responded to the news with encouragement and excitement. OOH, we love us some online positivity!
Thank you for bringing your voice to Alberta. We need your help now more than ever. Always welcome in my home! — J.J. Whelan – 💚 🌎 (@jimjameswhelan) October 13, 2019
Some were full of general frustration, a few shared harsh words, and some actually went so far as to threaten 16-year-old. *facepalm*
You will not be welcome in Alberta.
— Lynn Rahn (@LynnRahn1) October 13, 2019
Get back to school ! — mark talbot 🇬🇧🏴 (@TheMarkTalbot) October 14, 2019
Dear Greta, Perhaps you are starting to appreciate nature and understand there is no evidence of a “climate crisis” I certainly hope so. — Tony Heller (@Tony__Heller) October 13, 2019
Alberta is the heart of Canadian oil and gas production and with the anonymity of the internet, the extreme divide was almost to be expected.
Recent Posts:
Canada to be less affected by climate change than most nations (yay?)
See which Canadian cities were ranked as the best places to live
Even public figures have voiced opinions of their own. Notably, Edmonton’s mayor, Don Iveson and Chief of the Tsuutina Nation, Lee Crowchild, have openly welcomed the teen to Alberta.
Hi @GretaThunberg:
You’re visiting #Alberta! I’d love to invite you to #YEG’s City Hall to discuss the #EdmontonDeclaration & some of the environmentally friendly projects we’re working on. https://t.co/FZyq8zpJ2E
Regardless of where you visit, I wish you nothing but the best— Don Iveson (@doniveson) October 15, 2019
Good day Greta. I am Chief Lee Crowchild from the TsuuT’ina Nation. I would like to personally invite to our great Nation while you are here in Alberta. You are my guest and we will do what we need to do to have you speak to the province with the voices of the Alberta Nations.
— leecrowchild (@leecrowchild) October 13, 2019
According to the National Post, Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi also said he would be willing to meet with the young activist to discuss climate initiatives.
While Premier Jason Kenney released a statement, not rejecting the presence of Greta Thunberg in Alberta, but asking that upon her arrival, she recognize that the province is “leading human rights and environmental standards, especially in comparison to oil-producing dictatorships such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela — which she will presumably visit next — as well as major growing emitters like China.”
There is no word on where or when exactly Greta Thunberg will be visiting while she’s in the province, but we can assure you that wherever she goes, the drama will probably go too.
