Greta Thunberg ‘Rickrolls’ audience at youth-led climate concert

Greta Thunberg, known for her staunch advocacy as a climate campaigner, took a different approach in fighting for the planet at a youth-led concert for climate change.

“We are no strangers to love,” the Swedish 18-year-old declared as she shared the stage with another activist in Stockholm at the event, which was held prior to the 26^th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change slated for November. 

They sang and danced their hearts out to Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up—the 1980s hit that has become even more famous for “Rickrolls” in the past few years. It’s an internet prank that involves a spoof URL for its official music video. 

Calling it “fantastic,” the singer himself shared a clip of Thunberg’s performance from Climate Live on his own Twitter page. 

The climate activist also “rickrolled” her Twitter followers in April, when she tweeted about “some small things we ALL can and should do to stop the climate crisis.” Those who clicked the link were directed to the aforementioned music video. 

Just last month, Thunberg slammed global leaders for their “empty words and promises” in line with climate action. "Build back better, blah, blah, blah. Green economy, blah, blah, blah. Net-zero, blah, blah, blah. Climate-neutral, blah, blah, blah,” she said at a youth climate summit that took place in Milan, according to a CNN International report.

"This is all we hear from our so-called leaders—words. Words that sound great but so far, have led to no action. Our hopes and dreams drown in their empty words and promises.”