It is more than that. The reference to "needless anxiety" trivialises the sincere and genuine concerns of the hundreds of thousands of young people, and adults, who participated in last week's climate strike.

But, despite this, it is not without some basis in fact given Thunberg and others stand accused of over-egging the crisis and predicting dire catastrophe within an improbably short time frame.

The young Swedish activist told the British Parliament in April: "Around the year 2030, 10 years, 252 days and 10 hours away from now, we will be in a position where we set off an irreversible chain reaction beyond human control, that will most likely lead to the end of our civilisation as we know it. That is, unless, in that time permanent and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society have taken place, including a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50 per cent."

Thunberg went on to say that her apocalyptic predictions of global catastrophe "are backed up by scientific facts, concluded by all nations through the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)".

The 2018 IPCC Special Report on Global Warming Thunberg appeared to be referencing did not predict the end of civilisation as we know it. It doesn't talk about the imminent mass extinction she spoke about at the UN this week either.

It stated a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions was required by 2030 if the rise in global temperature was to be kept at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

If this could be achieved then come 2100 the global sea level rise would be 10 cm lower than otherwise, the Arctic Ocean would only be free of ice once a century rather than once a decade, and between 10 and 30 per cent of the world's coral reefs could be saved.

"Warming of 1.5 degrees or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes such as the loss of some ecosystems," Hans Porter, the co-chair of the IPCC Working Group said at the release of the report in Korea last year.

So, while Thunberg has done humanity a service by focussing public attention on climate change to a degree we have not previously seen, her apparent misrepresentation of the scientific evidence she is calling on politicians to listen to could ultimately do a great deal of damage to her cause.

Thunberg's youth does not excuse her from the need to be factual and accurate when she addresses bodies such as the United Nations, the British Parliament and the US Congress.

It is fair to say that in view of her growing influence, especially through non-critical and fact checking free social media platforms, she should make a special effort not to verbal scientists, misquote reports or use sensationalism to grow an audience.

That said, Thunberg's principle thesis survives intact. The implications of the 2018 IPCC report are dire and there are now few who doubt we are facing a potentially existential threat that will impact on the lives of billions of people for decades and centuries to come.

All of us, including the young, should be anxious, aware and motivated to do everything we can to repair the earth. This includes thinking globally, like Thunberg, while acting locally to reduce power consumption, recycle waste and ensure that resources are used efficiently.

Thunberg's most important message is that individuals can make a difference.