Greta Thunberg, a name synonymous with climate activism and environmental sustainability, has become a global symbol of youth-driven advocacy for the planet. This Swedish teen activist, fueled by her passion, has engaged in persistent and powerful advocacy for urgent action on climate change. Greta’s uncompromising words and actions have reverberated worldwide, spurring millions of young people to become more involved in fighting climate change.
Here are 25 interesting facts about Greta Thunberg, the powerful voice of youth in the battle against climate change.
1. Birth and Early Life: Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg was born on January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden.
2. Family Background: She comes from a family deeply involved in the arts. Her mother, Malena Ernman, is a well-known opera singer, and her father, Svante Thunberg, is an actor.
3. Asperger’s Diagnosis: Greta has Asperger’s syndrome, which is a kind of autism. She views it as her superpower and says it helps her “see things from outside the box.”
4. Origins of Activism: Her interest in climate change began at the age of eight when she first learned about it in school. She was baffled as to why so little was being done about it.
5. School Strike: In August 2018, at age 15, she started missing school to sit outside the Swedish Parliament with a sign that read “School Strike for Climate.”
6. Fridays for Future: Her solitary protest sparked the global “Fridays for Future” movement, with students around the world participating in school strikes for climate change.
7. International Recognition: In November 2018, Greta gave a TEDx talk, which went viral and helped her gain international recognition.
8. United Nations Address: In September 2019, she made an impassioned speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, famously telling world leaders, “How dare you!”
9. Transatlantic Voyage: She sailed across the Atlantic in a zero-emissions yacht to attend the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York, refusing to fly due to the high carbon emissions of air travel.
10. Time Magazine Recognition: In 2019, Thunberg was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. She was the youngest individual ever to receive this honor.
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11. Nobel Peace Prize Nominations: Greta has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times, starting from 2019.
12. Documentary Features: Her life and activism are documented in the 2020 film, “I Am Greta,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
13. Vegetarian and Vegan: Greta and her family are vegetarians, and she later transitioned to veganism. This is part of her personal effort to reduce carbon emissions.
14. One of Forbes’ Most Powerful Women: In 2019 and 2020, she was listed by Forbes magazine among the 100 most powerful women in the world.
15. Author: Greta has written several books about climate change, including “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference,” a collection of her speeches.
16. Influential Speaker: In January 2019, she addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, admonishing world leaders for their inaction on climate change.
17. Named After Her Ancestors: Greta’s father, Svante, is named after Svante Arrhenius, the Nobel laureate who first calculated the greenhouse effect. She carries on his legacy.
18. Named a Species: In 2020, a newly discovered species of beetle was named Nelloptodes gretae in her honor.
19. PETA’s Youth Role Model: In 2019, she was named PETA’s Youth Role Model of the Year.
20. Greta’s Sailing Team: She was part of Team Malizia during her transatlantic crossing. The team’s mission is to produce zero-carbon ocean racing.
21. Environmental Award Declined: In 2019, Greta declined the Nordic Council’s environmental award, saying the climate movement needed action, not awards.
22. Meetings with Powerful Figures: Greta has met with several high-ranking figures to discuss climate change, including Pope Francis and former U.S. President Barack Obama.
23. Learning Sabbatical: She took a year off school in 2019-2020 to focus on her climate activism.
24. Her Family’s Green Lifestyle: Greta’s family has given up air travel and keeps an electric car as part of their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
25. Inspiring Climate Activists: Greta has inspired a surge of youth activists around the globe, known as “Gretanomics,” who are rising up to demand serious action on climate change.
Greta Thunberg‘s journey is proof that age is no barrier to making a difference. Through her dedication and commitment to the cause of climate change, she continues to inspire and motivate millions worldwide. The story of Greta Thunberg, the eco-warrior, stands as a testament to the power of one, igniting collective action for our planet.
