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Twitter divided after radio host derides 16-year-old climate activist Izzy Cook for vacationing in Fiji

In an article, Izzy Cook's mother Rose lashed out at the host Heather du Plessis-Allan for 'bullying her' in the interview

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: A 16-year-old climate activist's interview with a New Zealand radio host took an unexpected turn when the latter began laughing at her. Izzy Cook, one of the main leaders of the School Strike for Climate in Wellington, became the subject of ridicule after she admitted that she flew to Fiji for a vacation. 

Following the interview debacle, Izzy's mother penned an open letter criticizing the host Heather du Plessis-Allan for bullying and laughing at her daughter. Writing on The Spinoff, Rose Cook spoke of her teenage daughter's ordeal, claiming that "Commentators like du Plessis-Allan don’t give a s**t about climate change." Twitter users are now divided in their view of whether or not the radio host took things too far. 

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The segment of the interview in question featured Du Plessis-Allen and Cook discussing how people should be allowed to take flights only for "approved" events. "Am I allowed to go to Fiji, is that necessary?" asked the host. "In the current climate crisis I don't think that's necessary," replied Izzy, unaware that she had walked into a trap. 

"When was the last time you were on a plane?" was Du Plessis-Allan's follow-up question, which seemed harmless enough. It was then that Izzy stuttered. "Hmmm... I'm not sure... a few months ago to be honest," she answered, but the host was not satisfied. "Where'd you go?" she asked. "Fiji," replied the teenage climate activist. The admission was met with peals of laughter as the host exclaimed, "Izzy! Don't you care about the climate Izzy?" While the teenager tries to wriggle out of the situation saying, "Of course, I care about the climate," Du Plessis-Allan continues in between bouts of laughter, "Not enough. You went to Fiji." 

Izzy's mother Rose strongly condemned the host in her article titled, 'Heather du Plessis-Allan should be ashamed of how she bullied my daughter' and claimed that out of everything that her daughter has done, the radio host chose to focus on a "gotcha" moment which is "a common tactic used to deflect from the climate crisis." In fact, Izzy "didn’t even want to come. She wanted to stay home and study and hang out with her friends. She’s a teenager! But, selfishly, I insisted, because I wanted to spend this time with her," wrote Rose. 

However, many people have taken to Twitter to call out the 16-year-old for being a "hypocrite" and advocating for others. "The whole Izzy Cook saga has taught us two valuable lessons. 1) Child climate protestors are just pawns used by ill-informed, delusional, eco fascist, parents, teachers and politicians. 2) 16 year olds should not vote," opined one user. When someone called out the host for behaving like a "Mean Girl", another user wrote, "You're kidding, right? People like Izzy Cook deserve to be ridiculed into oblivion."

One user opined, "'Cognitive dissonance' is a psychological maladjustment with many political activists. Izzy Cook is just another example." There were others who found her to be simply hypocritical. "It's as if Izzy Cook doesn't know what to say when she goes off script. It just sounds like hypocrisy saying don't go to Fiji yet she traveled to Fiji," wrote another.

At the same time, there were a few who supported the teen. "Love Izzy Cook. She’s having a go at standing up for what she believes in. We live in a democracy for now. Non of us are perfect. I stand for freedom of speech yet I know there are times I have shouted others down. As Heather said you will go far Izzy hang in there," said one user. Another person sympathized with the young teen but felt her parents were to blame. "Sorry not sorry i feel bad for #IzzyCook. Her parents and the other adults who made this possible by lying to her deserved that ridicule."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.