Greta Thunberg

Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg (born 3 January 2003) is a Swedish environmental activist known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action against climate change. Thunberg's activism began when she persuaded her parents to adopt several lifestyle choices to reduce their own carbon footprint. She gained international recognition for her youth and her straightforward speaking manner, both in public and to political leaders and assemblies, in which she criticizes world leaders for their failure to take sufficient action to address the climate crisis.

Early Life and Education

Greta Thunberg was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to opera singer Malena Ernman and actor Svante Thunberg. She has a younger sister, Beata. Thunberg has described her family as "ordinary" and "not particularly interested in the environment" before her activism began. She was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and selective mutism, which she has described as a gift that helps her focus on her climate activism.

Climate Activism

Thunberg's activism began in August 2018, when she started spending her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on global warming by holding up a sign reading "Skolstrejk för klimatet" ("School strike for climate"). Her strike began after the heat waves and wildfires during Sweden's hottest summer in at least 262 years. She inspired students across the globe to take part in student strikes.

Greta Thunberg speaking at a climate rally

Fridays for Future

Thunberg's school strike evolved into a global movement known as Fridays for Future, where students around the world skip school on Fridays to demand action on climate change. The movement has gained significant media attention and has been supported by millions of students worldwide.

Public Speaking and Influence

Thunberg has spoken at numerous high-profile events, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) in 2018, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019. Her speeches have been noted for their bluntness and urgency, often criticizing world leaders for their inaction.

Impact and Recognition

Thunberg has received numerous awards and honors for her activism, including being named one of the world's most influential people by Time magazine and being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her influence has been credited with raising global awareness of climate change and inspiring a new generation of activists.

The bike of Greta Thunberg in Stockholm

Criticism and Controversy

While Thunberg has been praised for her activism, she has also faced criticism and backlash from some political figures and commentators who question her methods and the scientific consensus on climate change. Despite this, she continues to be a prominent figure in the climate movement.

Personal Life

Thunberg continues to live in Stockholm with her family. She has taken a year off from school to focus on her activism and has traveled extensively to promote her message, often choosing environmentally friendly modes of transport such as trains and sailing.

Also see

• Climate change
• Environmental activism
• Fridays for Future
• United Nations Climate Change Conference