Right, the animals are helpless and voiceless.  That is a great truth.

It is certainly not the responsibility of young people alone to do all that needs to be done right now.  But it is good that Hansen mentions the ever vulnerable animals, in the same context with expressing hope in what young people may rise up to do.

And, if I may add, we who love animals do indeed thank those young people who also love animals, for all that they are doing already.

And suffering.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police took into custody the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's flagship Farley Mowat on Saturday evening.  The ship is in Sydney, Nova Scotia, at last report.  Hopefully the youthful crew are faring well.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

Mr. Hansen:

I have a great deal of respect your work and we all have a great deal of gratitude for all youve done.

You try to close on a note of optimism:
""the power gap in the face-off of fossil fuel interests against young people and nature. Fossil interests permeate state governments, as well as Washington."

Youre right.  Is it politic? "HES ONE OF THEM!

And the Youth:"
"They are not fooled by 'green' advertisements of industry or tokenism in political actions."

Nor are they foolish enough to think that anything will change the bankrolled Fossil Interests and Politicians. Maybe thats why many are waiting for the world to change. As long as Fat Fossil Interests and their nonaccountable Political Lackeys continue to hold the reigns of power nothing will change. The kids are not fools.

Is it optimism or false hope?

With the greatest of respect,
Bill Goldschein