Greta Thunberg
Introduction
Greta Thunberg, born on January 3, 2003, is a Swedish environmental activist renowned for her uncompromising calls to world leaders to urgently address the impacts of human-caused climate change. Her activism began with persuading her parents to adopt lifestyle changes that reduced their carbon footprint. At the age of 15, on August 20, 2018, she initiated her school strike, choosing to forgo classes until after Sweden's national election to influence its outcome. Stationed outside the Swedish parliament, she held a sign declaring "Skolstrejk för Klimatet" (School Strike for Climate) and distributed informational flyers, demanding stronger climate action.
Following the election, Greta addressed supporters, urging them to record her speech on their phones. She pledged to continue her climate strike every Friday until Sweden adhered to the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Greta's youthful determination and direct communication style quickly propelled her to global prominence, transforming her into an iconic figure on the world stage.
Early Life and Education
Born into a family where environmental consciousness was ingrained, Greta's awareness of climate issues began early. Her parents, opera singer Malena Ernman and actor Svante Thunberg, instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility toward environmental sustainability. Greta was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism, which she views as strengths that fuel her activism.
Career Trajectory
Greta's career trajectory as an activist has been meteoric. Starting with her solitary school strike in Stockholm, she quickly gained global attention through her powerful speeches at international forums like the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) and the World Economic Forum. She has met with world leaders, challenging them to take urgent and meaningful action to address climate change.
Legacy and Future
Greta Thunberg's legacy lies in her unprecedented ability to mobilize young people globally and shift the conversation on climate change from mere scientific discourse to urgent political action. Her influence has led to policy changes, sparked global climate strikes, and raised awareness on an unprecedented scale. Her future is marked by ongoing advocacy, pushing for accountability and concrete actions from global leaders.
References
- "It's an existential crisis. Listen to scientists". BBC. 23 April 2019. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
- Gibson, Caitlin (16 March 2020). "Before Greta Thunberg was a global icon, she was a tormented child who refused to eat or speak". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- Watts, Jonathan; @jonathanwatts (11 March 2019). "Greta Thunberg, schoolgirl climate change warrior: 'Some people can let things go. I can't'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- Haynes, Suyin (24 May 2019). "Students From 1,600 Cities Just Walked Out of School to Protest Climate Change. It Could Be Greta Thunberg's Biggest Strike Yet". Time. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
