Fact Check: Edited video shows Greta Thunberg advocating for green missiles, vegan grenades
NewsMeter found that the video’s audio was edited to remove Greta’s voice. It was first posted by a satire account.
By Md Mahfooz Alam Published on 25 Oct 2023 11:36 AM GMT
(Source: X/@MithilaWaala)
Hyderabad: Social media users are sharing a video allegedly featuring Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, where she advocates the use of battery-powered fighter jets and biodegradable missiles in warfare.
In the video, Thunberg could be heard saying, “War is always bad, specifically for the planet. If we want to continue fighting battles like environmentally conscious humans, we must make the change to sustainable tanks and weaponry. There are so many new concepts for battery-powered fighter jets that can carry many more missiles, biodegradable missiles, of course, something everybody can do to stop this nonsense. For example, block the roads to gardens and farms so that they do not get overrun by these heavy tanks…if you use hand grenades, please use vegan grenades…”
Mocking Thunberg, an X premium user, shared the video with the caption, “WTF is biodegradable missiles?? @GretaThunberg, take a candy bag, get back to school and complete your education which you left midway for your “How Dare You” drama. (sic)”
(Source: X/@MithilaWaala)
A Facebook user shared the video with the caption, “Only, woke society from the “West” is capable of producing such third-rate #morons. “Battery-powered fighter jets,” “Biodegradable Missiles,” “Vegan Grenade”. (sic)”
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the video’s audio was edited to remove Greta’s voice. It was first posted by a satire account.
We noticed ‘SATIRE’ and ‘@snicklink’ written at the bottom right corner of the video. Taking this as a cue, we looked for the handle and found accounts on multiple social media platforms. The About section of all these accounts mentioned ‘Comedy’ in the bios.
We found the same video posted by its premium handle on X on October 20 with the caption “Greta Thunberg on “Vegan Wars”.” The handle also used the caption #satire #Israel in the caption.
We also found the original video published by the BBC on November 1, 2020, titled ‘Greta Thunberg on how to tackle climate anxiety | The One Show - BBC’
We did not find any mention of battery-powered fighter jets and biodegradable missiles in this BBC interview.
On being asked about her early activism by one of the hosts, Greta could be heard saying, “Certainly, as a child of eight, ten, or eleven, there are limited actions one can take to effect substantial change. So I began with small steps, like turning off the lights at home to conserve energy. This led to further initiatives, including giving up air travel, adopting a vegan lifestyle, and more. I even persuaded my parents to follow suit as they began to understand my concerns. These changes also emboldened me to commence school strikes.”
Thunberg position on the Israel-Hamas conflict
On October 20, Thunberg, in a post on X, expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Gaza. She asked the world to speak on the conflict and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.
Replying to the post, an Israeli account took a dig at Thunberg and wrote, “@GretaThunberg, Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets which have BUTCHERED innocent Israelis. The victims of the Hamas massacre could have been your friends. Speak up.”
Hence, we conclude that the viral video has been edited. The claim of Thunberg advocating the use of battery-powered fighter jets and biodegradable missiles is false.
