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When asked by lawmakers on Capitol Hill how to get young people involved, she said adults should \"tell them the truth.\"

\"Tell them how it is,\" she said. \"Because when I found out I was furious. I wanted to do something about it.\"

\"PHOTO:
Alex Wong/Getty Images
PHOTO: Founder of Fridays For Future Greta Thunberg testifies during a House Foreign Affairs Committee Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment Subcommittee and House (Select) Climate Crisis Committee joint hearing, Sept. 18, 2019, in Washington, DC.
>

Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., said the U.S. has made strides in limiting climate emissions and that China was taking the lead in releasing carbon emissions known to contribute to climate change.

\"For everyone one ton of carbon emissions we produce in the United States,\" Graves said during the hearing Wednesday. \"China has increased by 4 tons, more than offsetting all the reductions that we have had in the United States.\"

Thunberg responded that China's emissions levels shouldn't be an excuse for the U.S. to back off its own efforts to limit greenhouse gases.

\"I want you to unite behind the science. And then I want you to take real action.\"

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appeared before Congress to urge lawmakers to \"listen to the scientists\" and embrace global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. https://t.co/Rik2UcuJDt pic.twitter.com/oEgGFdNsTu

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 18, 2019

\"I am from Sweden, a small country. And there, it is the same argument. 'Why should we do anything, just look at the U.S.,' they say. So, just so you know, that is being used against you as well.\"

\"PHOTO:
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
PHOTO: Sixteen year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg listens to speakers during a climate change demonstration at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Sept. 18, 2019.
>

Thunberg traveled to the U.S. by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to reduce her carbon footprint. She is expected to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York City later this month.

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