A Date with History: 17 yr old Addresses World Leaders at the UN Earth Summit

What would you say if given the opportunity to tell world leaders your thoughts on climate change? For 17 year-old New Zealander, Brittany Trilford, that opportunity became a reality this morning at the Rio+20 Earth Summit. Invited to provide the opening speech, Trilford delivered a polite, but stern address to the 130 heads of state and representatives in attendance. Her demand: Do something.

While watching this Brittany speak I couldn't help but remember the speech by Severn Cullis-Suzuki, daughter of environmentalist David Suzuki, at the Rio Earth Summit in 1993. Her speech was so well done, it became an overnight hit online and she is now known  as "The girl that silenced the world for five minutes". Check it out: