On Tuesday, New Zealand Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick was recognized by the Speaker and began to speak about climate change.
The 25 year-old member of Parliament stated she would be 56 years old in 2050. That year has been set as a goalpost for countries to achieve climate neutrality.
Swarbrick attempted to point out the impact of 2050 on members of her generation whilst decisions were being made largely by individuals who were unlikely to be impacted. A member of the National Party took exception to the reality he'd probably be dead by 2050 and heckled MP Swarbrick, saying, "That's impossible."
Whether it was her age, her math skills, his own mortality or something else he took exception to is unclear.
While the National Party MP's comment couldn't be heard on the video of her speech, Chlöe Swarbrick's response could.
She replied:
"OK Boomer."
Referring to baby boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—the phrase has become a standard response to "call out or dismiss out-of-touch or close-minded opinions associated with the baby boomer generation."
Swarbrick shared video of the speech on her Facebook page—which is odd because didn't millennials get blamed for killing Facebook?
Anyway, not everyone caught what Swarbrick said in response to her heckler.
The official New Zealand Parliament video service captioned her response:
"OK Berma."
Once pointed out, they issued a mea culpa and corrected the error.
It didn't take long for this to happen...
Some other MPs felt left out.
But Gen Xers assured them anyone can use "OK Boomer" when instructed to get off their proverbial lawn.
As for Swarbrick, according to her Facebook page, the remark drew some ire.
She responded by including some of the comments and criticisms Baby Boomers routinely level at millennials:
- ruining things
- pulling up bootstraps
- avocado toast
Swarbrick's point on who would be dealing with climate change might have been lost on the National Party MP, but others got it.
Some were simply amused by what dominated New Zealand political news online.
And Swarbrick's video costar drew some attention as well.
As for the legislation, it passed.
Congratulations New Zealand—and MP Swarbrick—for standing up for the future.
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