Arnold Schwarzenegger, the famous actor and former Governor of California, gave a powerful speech at the Austrian World Summit in Vienna, a major climate change conference he helped create. He’s been passionate about protecting the environment for decades, and he didn’t hold back when talking about recent political setbacks in the fight against climate change, especially under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Schwarzenegger said he often hears people ask why they should bother fighting for a cleaner environment when the U.S. government denies climate change and supports coal and oil. His response was direct and simple: “Stop whining and get to work.” He urged people not to give up or be discouraged, even when political leaders don’t support their cause. Instead of focusing on negativity, he encouraged everyone to take real steps toward making things better.
He reminded the audience that most pollution can be reduced at local or state levels—without needing approval from the federal government. He gave examples like city leaders switching to electric buses, business owners moving away from fossil fuels, or schools installing solar panels. According to him, waiting around and making excuses won’t solve anything.
Schwarzenegger emphasized that real change doesn’t have to come from the top. Anyone can be part of the solution by taking action where they live or work. He said people are tired of hearing complaints and negative predictions. What they need is to see practical steps that improve their daily lives.
He ended his speech on a hopeful note, saying that the best way to get people to care about the environment is to show them progress—actions that actually make their communities healthier and stronger.
The Austrian World Summit, which Schwarzenegger started in 2017 with Monika Langthaler, brings together people from politics, business, and everyday life to work together on climate protection. The event has grown to become one of the biggest climate conferences in the world, attracting thousands of attendees and hundreds of speakers from over 100 countries.
Schwarzenegger has been working on environmental issues for over 20 years. While serving as California’s governor from 2003 to 2011, he supported major laws to fight pollution, including a plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions, push for cleaner fuels, and install solar panels on a million rooftops.
Meanwhile, many environmentalists have become worried about changes made under President Trump. Since taking office, Trump’s administration rolled back key environmental rules, including the Clean Water Rule, and weakened pollution control policies. Trump has often called climate change a “hoax” and promoted coal and oil instead of cleaner energy like wind and solar.
Despite these setbacks, Schwarzenegger believes people still have the power to make a difference—if they stop complaining and start acting.
