8 things you need to know about Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is the 16-year-old Swedish school girl and climate change activist who every politician wants to be photographed with. But, this time last year, she was just like any other teenager and we definitely didn't know her name. So what's happened for Greta Thunberg to get the attention of some of the most powerful world leaders? Here's what you need to know...
1. Greta started the first ever climate change school strike in August 2018
In her home country of Sweden, Greta staged the first 'skolstrejk för klimatet' (school strike for climate change) outside the Swedish parliament building on Friday 20th August 2018. Greta had been inspired by a previous school class walk-out, in Florida against US gun laws, and she thought it was the best way to get attention.
It was just after Europe had experienced a record-breaking heatwave and forest fires had raged through Sweden. Her parents were unsure and none of Greta's class mates were willing to join, but she went by herself, with her bike, a hand-painted sign and climate change fact sheets.
Greta staged her strike every day until the Swedish national election and, slowly but surely, people started to join her.
2. Greta has Asperger’s Syndrome
Greta was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome four-years-ago and she has since learnt how to use it as a driving force in her campaigning, instead of letting it hold her back. Her Asperger’s means that Greta finds facts she learns about the environment more upsetting and distressing than others, and she can't easily shake those feelings off. It's spurred her on to act.
“I overthink. Some people can just let things go, but I can’t, especially if there’s something that worries me or makes me sad," Greta said in an interview with The Guardian.
She has also been diagnosed with OCD and selective mutism.
3. Greta has experienced periods of depression
Greta learned about the concept of climate change at eight-years-old and was severely affected by the environmental outlook. A few years later, when she was 11, those feelings contributed to Greta sinking into a period of depression. She stopped going to school and lost up to 10 kilos of weight in just two months. It was during this time at home that she discussed her environmental concerns with her parents.
4. Her parents are impressive too
Greta's mother is Malena Ernman, one of Sweden’s most celebrated opera singers. Her father is Svante Thunberg, an actor and author named after Svante Arrhenius, the Nobel prize-winning scientist who first calculated how carbon dioxide emissions could lead to the greenhouse effect.
5. Greta wants as all to panic
When Greta first learnt about the climate crisis, she could not believe that adults weren't making big enough changes.
"Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire," Greta wrote in a column for The Guardian. "Adults keep saying: 'We owe it to the young people to give them hope.' But I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. And then I want you to act."
6. Greta spoke at the People's Climate march rally in Sweden
Her parents were worried about her selective mutism but the determined teen addressed thousands of activists in perfect English and encouraged people to film her and spread her message on social media. “In some cases where I am really passionate, I will not change my mind,” Greta said in an interview.
7. Greta has met world leaders
Since becoming a beacon of hope for the environmental movement, many politicians have wanted to meet the inspiring teen. Greta has been highly praised at the UN and by the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. She's met the French president, Emmanuel Macron, the European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and UK politicians including Jeremy Corbyn.
8. Greta doesn't think the UK is doing enough for the climate crisis
On a visit to the UK in April, Greta described the UK's response to climate change as "beyond absurd" and "irresponsible," the BBC reports. During a speech to MP's, she specifically criticised the UK's backing of fossil fuel exploitation and thought our cuts to carbon emissions have been exaggerated. Environment Secretary Michael Gove agreed with her, admitting "we have not done nearly enough".
Her visit comes at the end of mass environmental rallies and protests in London which has seen many of the capitals biggest roads closed to activists.
9. She has a huge following
Greta already has 1.3 million followers on Instagram where she documents her international travel and campaigning.
A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Apr 19, 2019 at 5:00am PDT
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