The Queen has used her annual Christmas message today to reflect on a "bumpy" 2019 and praise the "sense of purpose" shown by younger generations facing the climate crisis.
The 93-year-old monarch described her memory of D-Day and the end of World War II before drawing a parallel between the challenges faced by her generation, and the challenge of protecting the environment today.
"The challenges many people face today may be different to those once faced by my generation. But I have been struck by how new generations have brought a similar sense of purpose to issues such as protecting our environment, and our climate," she said.
The Queen's words follow a year in which climate activism led by young people has taken centre stage.
In 2019, millions of young people from more than 150 countries participated in the School Strike for Climate, inspired by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg.
The year 2019 also saw experts warn that climate change is accelerating. The unprecedented bushfire season underway in Australia is one example of a disaster linked to the climate crisis.
The Queen used her Christmas message to reflect on a "bumpy year". Source: EPA
In her Christmas address, The Queen acknowledged that 2019 was 'quite bumpy'.
The bumpiness in question likely refers to a range of issues, including Brexit and scandals surrounding the royal family.
Looking forward to the new decade, the Queen cited the example of Jesus, which she said shows "how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding".
"It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change," she said.
