Story By:  Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub Editor:  Joseph Golder,  Agency: Central European News

Teenage activist Greta Thunberg has urged Romanians to take to the streets in the fight against illegal logging in the country.

Thunberg, 17, told local media that Romanian citizens need to unite against the issue if they want to see change.

The young environmental activist, who hails from the Swedish capital Stockholm, said: “I want to urge you to join the Fridays for Future movement in Romania and support them, and stand together against illegal logging and the destruction of our common planet.

“Because we only have one planet and we need to protect it, we need to protect the ecosystems, the biosphere and nature. So, see you on the streets!”

According to local media, one of the most affected areas of illegal tree felling is the northern Romanian county of Maramures which borders with the Ukraine.

Approximately 100,000 cubic metres (3.5 million cubic feet) of woodland has reportedly been chopped down over the last eight years without state authorisation.

Meanwhile, some media outlets have claimed the authorities do nothing about the situation and accused them of profiting from it.

Earlier this month, environment minister Costel Alexe said he has all the paperwork needed to launch a full investigation into illegal logging.

Last week, Greta visited Brussels where she criticised the European Commission’s plan on attaining climate neutrality in Europe by 2050.

She said that the EU’s proposed ‘Green Plan’ gives the world less than 50 percent chance to limit the global warming process.

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