Seventeen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg made a dramatic speech Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In her address, she called for a public and private sector divestment from fossil fuel companies
"Immediately end all fossil fuel subsidies and immediately and completely divest from fossil fuels. We don't want these things done by 2050, or 2030 or even 2021 — we want this done now," she said.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin mocked the teenager on Thursday during a press briefing in Davos.
"Greta Thunberg has called for a public and private sector divestment from fossil fuel companies. Does that pose a threat to US economic growth?" a reporter asked Mnuchin.
"Is she the chief economist, or who is she? I'm confused," he replied. "It's a joke. After she goes and studies economics in college she can come back and explain that to us."
In the climate debate the degrees we should really be concerned with are in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Specifically, 1.5 degrees Celsius. If the planet warms much more than that, the planet will be in major distress.
Over 400 million people will live in drought, the Arctic will have a 10 times greater chance of being ice-free in the summer, and up to 80 million people will be exposed to flooding.
Thunberg responded to Mnuchin's jibe with some basic facts that don't require a degree to understand.
"My gap year ends in August, but it doesn't take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1,5° carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don't add up," Thunberg tweeted.
"So either you tell us how to achieve this mitigation or explain to future generations and those already affected by the climate emergency why we should abandon our climate commitments," she added.
My gap year ends in August, but it doesn't take a college degree in economics to realise that our remaining 1,5° carbon budget and ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and investments don't add up. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/1virpuOyYG
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 23, 2020
So either you tell us how to achieve this mitigation or explain to future generations and those already affected by the climate emergency why we should abandon our climate commitments. 2/3
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 23, 2020
Mnuchin hasn't said much about climate change throughout his career, but it's clear he doesn't know what's happening. An exchange he had with Democratic Representative Sean Casten revealed how little he knows about the subject.
"I have expertise on many issues, climate is not one of them," Mnuchin admitted. "Outside of the United States there are some areas where climate issues are very, very, very significant. Climate issues are very significant. I think the U.S has made a lot of progress on this."
To his astonishment, Casten replied, "No we haven't. We are not on a sustainable path."
To say that there are climate issues "outside of the United States" assumes that this is an isolated issue that only affects certain regions. What happens in the U.S. affects people throughout the world and the actions that happen across the globe affect us at home.
It seems that Mnuchin is the one who needs to study up, not Thunberg.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.