Greta Thunberg takes aim at global trade emissions in Suez Canal meme
Climate activist jumps aboard container ship memes
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Greta Thunberg has used a Suez Canal meme to take a swipe at the ‘hidden’ global trade emissions from outsourced factories.
The climate activist has jumped aboard the trend of social media memes about the Ever Given, which caused major disruption to global trade after becoming lodged diagonally in Egypt’s historic waterway.
“And in case anyone’s worried about emissions from Evergreen ships like these, carrying our stuff from outsourced factories, don’t be,” she wrote in a tongue-in-cheek tweet.
“Emissions from intl aviation and shipping are excluded from our statistics. So in theory, they don’t exist. It feels better that way, doesn’t it?”
The cartoonish image of a single digger’s attempt to shift the 220,940 tonne container vessel was likened by Thunberg to the ‘Green Recovery’, ‘Build Back Better’ and ‘Net Zero Carbon emissions’ plans that attempt to tackle the climate and ecological crises.
Read more
While many major companies calculate their impact on the environment, emissions from outsourced suppliers and associated shipping are often excluded.
“Thank goodness for you, Greta. I am twice your age and you teach me so much,” one Twitter user responded.
The Suez Canal meme is the latest in a long list of timely takedowns that have made Thunberg popular online, with Donald Trump being a frequent target of her ridicule before his account was removed by Twitter earlier this year.
The Suez Canal blockage has given rise to much economic anxiety since it became jammed a week ago, closing a vital trade route between China, South Asia and Europe.
The ensuing supply chain logjam is estimated to have been delaying around £7bn worth of goods each day.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments