Climate activist Greta Thunberg has caused a sensation after unexpectantly singing Rick Astley's 1980s hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.
The teenage activist belted out the hit in the Swedish capital Stockholm while onstage alongside 'Friday's for Future' leader Andreas Magnusson.
The outburst came after she read a declaration saying that the UK and other countries are not doing enough to tackle climate change and blasted their promises as nothing but 'empty words and promises'.
While Astley had a major hit in the 1980s with the song, it has recently in the internet age become part of the 'Rick Rolling' meme in which internet users are falsely and unexpectantly directed towards the song. It is therefore thought that the song was chosen as a troll on world leaders who are not doing enough to combat the climate emergency.
Astley responded to the song on Twitter, saying:
"Fantastic and Tack så mycket! Rick x"
Which means 'Thanks so much' in Swedish.
Fantastic and Tack så mycket! Rick x 🌍 @GretaThunberg @ClimateLive2021 https://t.co/UXs4zypoNc pic.twitter.com/0Y7b1o4OC7
— Rick Astley (@rickastley) October 17, 2021
The event in Stockholm was taking place as part of a series of events to bring attention to climate change ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow in November. World leaders will gather in Scotland's largest city to decide and agree on what must happen to best save the climate.
While many are hopeful about the event, others believe that little of substance will be achieved and that the COP26 summit will be nothing but a talking shop.
Greta Thunberg became famous after famously striking from school every Friday in order to bring attention to the climate emergency. She was then joined by other students and the movement ballooned, involving millions of school strikers. She has since met hundreds of senior world leaders and campaigners.
Thunberg has been highly praised for her work but has also come in from strong criticism, particularly online, for allegedly promoting unworkable solutions and working for vested interests.
[Based on reporting by: BBC]
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