Environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg assailed powerful politicians on Thursday for "ignoring" climate change, as she demanded an end to fossil fuel subsidies and implored the current generation of leaders to take the crisis more seriously.

Speaking as world leaders gathered at a climate summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, the 18-year-old Thunberg warned that powerful interests and lawmakers were contributing to the "destruction" of living conditions around the globe.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg accuses politicians and global leaders of "ignoring" the climate crisis
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg accuses politicians and global leaders of "ignoring" the climate crisis AFP / Jonathan NACKSTRAND

"How long do you honestly believe people in power like you will get away with it?" the Swedish activist told US lawmakers at a House of Representatives committee hearing.

"How long do you think you can continue ignoring the climate crisis, the global aspect of equity and historic emissions without being held accountable?" she asked.

"You get away with it now, but sooner or later people are going to realize what you have been doing all this time."

Environmental champion Greta Thunberg assails powerful politicians for "ignoring" climate change, as she demands an end to fossil fuel subsidies and implored the current generation of leaders to take the crisis more seriously. "How long do you honestly be
Environmental champion Greta Thunberg assails powerful politicians for "ignoring" climate change, as she demands an end to fossil fuel subsidies and implored the current generation of leaders to take the crisis more seriously. "How long do you honestly believe people in power like you will get away with it?" the Swedish activist said via videolink in a biting rebuke to a US House panel. House Committee on Oversight and Reform/Handout

Thunberg, the world's foremost young climate activist, has addressed members of the US Congress before, at a hearing in 2019.

But Thursday's remarks coincided with Biden's Earth Day Climate Summit, in which he committed to aggressive new goals for reducing emissions.

Rise/fall in carbon emissions per country from 2009 to 2019
Rise/fall in carbon emissions per country from 2009 to 2019 AFP / Simon MALFATTO

As leaders like China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed commitments to reduce emissions, Thunberg said global action still fell far short of where it should be.

"It is the year 2021. The fact we are still having this discussion and even more that we are still subsidizing fossil fuels directly or indirectly using taxpayer money is a disgrace," she said.

"It is proof that we have not understood the climate emergency at all."

She also directly accused the current generation of politicians of "giving up without even trying," adding: "Well, I'm here to tell you that unlike you, my generation will not give up without a fight."

She also showed her willingness to confront -- and even mock -- world leaders.

When British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the summit, he said it was vital to think of the climate change fight as a challenge to boost growth and jobs, not merely as "some expensive politically correct green act of bunny hugging."

Thunberg promptly changed her Twitter bio to a two-word description: "Bunny hugger."