Greta Thunberg
Who is she?
Greta Thunberg was born in Sweden in 2003. When she was 8 years old, she first heard about climate change and her immediate response was “Why don’t we do something about it?”. She got seriously depressed over the issue and this led to her not talking and losing 10 kilos in two months. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and selective mutism which in her words means “I only speak when I think it’s necessary. Now is one of those moments”.
Her activism for the environment began when she persuaded her parents to change their lifestyle in order to lower their carbon footprint. In 2018 she started protesting against climate change and organized her “School strike for climate” campaign. After trying to persuade other young people to join her and facing their indifference, she continued her protest on her own sitting outside the Swedish Parliament during school hours every day for three weeks. What she demanded was that the Swedish government should reduce the country’s carbon emissions. Her campaign gained popularity through social media and soon other people, including school children and activists, joined her.
The movement spread throughout Europe and Greta inspired school children around the world to make a stand and claim their future. Since then, Greta has delivered speeches in many Parliaments worldwide, she has come in contact with many power-holding politicians and well-known activist groups trying to promote her effort to raise awareness and stop climate change.
Why should I know her?
Greta is an active environmentalist who despite her age has managed to be heard and become known in a global scale. She has been equally mocked and supported and none of the negativity she has received has made her halt her efforts. She is quite blunt in her opinions and she does not seem to be impressed by the prestige many famous people think that they carry while she condemns the lack of immediate action about the global warming crisis. Her Tweet responses to mockery by politicians, like Donald Trump or Jair Bolsonaro, show a bright and intelligent young person who has a quick wit. In addition to her environmental protests, she has raised awareness for autism and inclusivity.
Greta can be an example of determination and being an active and concerned citizen of the world. It is our duty to be more like her and try our best for a better world and a better present and future!
More of Greta
Her social media accounts:
Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) • Φωτογραφίες και βίντεο στο Instagram
Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) / Twitter
Her TED talk: Greta Thunberg: The disarming case to act right now on climate change | TED Talk
Some of her appearances:
Greta Thunberg mocks world leaders in ‘blah, blah, blah’ speech – BBC News – YouTube
WATCH: Greta Thunberg’s full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit – YouTube
A #NatureNow message from Greta Thunberg. – YouTube
A HULU documentary about her:
I Am Greta • Trailer (Official) • A Hulu Original Documentary – YouTube
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