Social media tends to distract its consumers from real-world problems. Internet trolls can make life-threatening issues into jokes and discredit the magnitude of real problems. Therefore, many ignore the increasing intensity of natural weather disasters occurring around the world and their connections to environmental degradation. People prefer to focus on an assumed future rather than on what is happening now, especially when they do not believe climate change is affecting them right now. However, there will be no future to worry about if we do not take steps to stop or at least slow down global warming immediately. Climate has changed over time, but we should not disregard the amount of human contribution in the acceleration of global warming and in the drastic intensification of planet climate related disasters. Many are just standing by as they watch the devastation of other region. Yet, some have taken more than drastic actions to address this tragedy, one activist is Greta Thunberg. A young teenager teaching everyone around the world that it does not take a lot to make our voices heard. Recently, she led over eleven million people to take action to slow down the number of forests that are being destroyed and to slow the extinction of already endangered species. The current leader of the biggest protest against global warming is only now seventeen years old.1
At seven years old, Greta Thunberg, learned about global warming. She could not stand being part of the problem and decided to work on a solution becoming the youngest Swedish activist. Her teacher had introduced her to climate change by assigning a book.2 Thunberg was instantly hooked. She became aware that the warming of our planet was due to an increase in greenhouse gasses, primarily as a result of human activity. This devastated her, she thought it was too horrible and that there must be someone doing something about it. However, to her surprise, nothing was being done. At fifteen years old, Thunberg began to take action by writing a sign “school strike for climate” and sat in front of the Swedish parliament to protest what she felt so passionate about3 This small act of protest grew into an effective movement and became the first of many strikes around the world. Thunberg created a revolution by standing up for and becoming part of the solution.
Her movement caught people’s attention and has grown to a worldwide action network that combines young school children and their parents and grand parents. Greta began informing her own community and asking them to take a stance and to act when most were not aware yet about climate change.4 Thunberg continued her advocacy and while she tries to avoid traveling, she now has people all over the world sharing her same values. Thunberg started to think bigger, she informed herself of what countries were polluting the most. Thunberg learned that Argentina, Brazil, France, Turkey, and Germany were some of the major contributors of carbon and greenhouse gas pollution in the world. So, she began a lawsuit against these five countries which claims that carbon-polluting countries are violating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 5 She travels by land and oceans, instead of by airplanes that produce the highest levels of greenhouse gases. During these trips, she gives interviews to well known shows where she explains more of her concerns and why she began this movement. In one of the shows she mentioned that she began this movement with the thought of “even if I can’t make that big of a difference in this issue, I could look at myself in the mirror and know I did something.”6 Thunberg never forgets to express her frustrations about how the people in charge, are leaving her generation with the mess they created and that they continue to worsen. She is saddened about the amounts of forests that are being destroyed and animals are going extinct because of human activity.
Greta Thunberg impacts positively the lives of so many others around the world while battling her own challenges with Asperger’s Syndrome. Although, she does mention how being in the autism spectrum is such a gift because this allows her to think outside of the box and think of solutions for issues in different ways. She continues leading youths and adults to participate in the climate strike for change in over one hundred and fifty countries, including the United States. Thunberg received the support of millions of people globally. This does not minimize her anger when she remembers that government leaders do not care about how so many major businesses are overheating the planet. She gave a now-famous speech “How Dare You” in the United Nations meeting, she tells politicians “People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing.”7 “We are at the beginning of mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of endless economic growth. How dare you!”8. After this impactful speech, she continues inspiring youths by being a positive influence and showing us that no matter your age or the amount of money you have, you need to stand up for what you know is right. Thunberg gets emotional when she talks about how she does not think politicians are taking her seriously because of how young she is. She mentions in her speeches quite often how unfair they are being towards the next generation. Changes need to be made because they have ruined hers and all children’s childhood and have left a mess for the younger generations to clean up.9 Even President Trump noticed her movement. Although, he did share some sarcastic words towards Thunberg in one of his tweets he mentioned, “Greta must work on her anger management problem,” 10 The president could have possibly taken a different approach towards a teenager who is trying to make a positive impact in the world. If you ask me, I think it is great that she is using her anger in a passionate way that is benefiting us all.
Greta Thunberg continues her fight for progress, pushes for small actions to be implemented by the current leaders around the world. People hear her warnings and her call to action and discuss what a great impact she has been making in just under two years of activism. At only seventeen years old, Greta Thunberg has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for 2020.11 She was also chosen as the person of the year 2019 by TIME’s Magazine 12 Thunberg gives tips on how to become more Eco-friendly giving us the chance to take action. While she has stopped flying to minimize green gas emissions, other solutions are more practical, she has become vegan, she has adopted the shop-stop philosophy (which is not buying anything unless you absolutely have to), but most importantly she continues communicating the importance of slowing climate change to people in power. Sometimes life gets in the way or we have other responsibilities that do not allow us to be as involved in movements we support. However, is it responsible to dismiss the very real impacts of global warming because these are merely inconveniences in our lives while climate change severely impacts millions around the world? We must start making small adjustments to our daily lives, if we are to hope for a better future.
- Aylin Woodward, Greta Thunberg turns 17 today. Here’s how she started a global climate movement in just 18 months (New York:2020). ↵
- After a lot of research, we have learned that Thunberg does not mention what this book was by name in any of her interviews in English. ↵
- Greta Thunberg (Wikipedia). ↵
- Charlotte Alter, Suyin Haynes, Justin Worland, The Power of Youth (New York:2019). ↵
- Olivia Goldhill, While Global Leaders Messed Around, Greta Thunberg and 15 Kids Got Down To Business (New York:2019). ↵
- Ellen DeGeneres, Join Greta Thunberg & the Climate Crisis Movement. (California:2019). ↵
- Emily Chasan, David Weiner, Teen Activist Greta Thunberg to World Leaders: ‘How Dare You! (California:2019). ↵
- Kalhan Rosenblatt, Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg delivers a scathing speech at U.N. (New York:2019). ↵
- John Queally, ‘We Have Not Come Here to Beg World Leaders to Care,’ 15-Year-Old Greta Thunberg Tells COP24. ‘We Have Come to Let Them Know Change Is Coming’ (Maine:2018). ↵
- Chris Cilliza, We should all be appalled by Donald Trump’s tweet about Greta Thunberg (New York:2019). ↵
- Aris Folley, Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize (Washington:2020). ↵
- Charlotte Alter, Suyin Haynes, Justin Worland, Person of the Year: Great Thunberg (New York: 2019). ↵
49 comments
Alexis Lopez
I enjoyed reading this article because it shines light on the climate issues that are going on in the world today that nobody really notices or talks about. I didn’t realize that Greta Thunberg learned so much about global warming as such a young age. I think it’s amazing that she is able to make such a big difference at such a young age and is really inspiring for people like me or any young person. Aracely Beltran’s article is amazing and well written.
Savannah Palmer
It is quite incredible to see such a young lady lead such extraordinary change. Climate change has been a topic hidden behind industrialism for centuries. Prior to Greta’s Thunberg’s movement, climate change was a topic that wasn’t discussed very often. It was an issue that people around the globe were aware of, but failed to do something to change it. It took the courage of a teenage girl to take the world by storm with her passions and desire to educate the world about the effects of human activity on the environment. I admire the courage that Greta Thunberg continuously portrays, and I adore the way in which this article has brought to life the power of activism.
Emmett Pena
Greta Thunberg is such an inspiring figure and I am shocked that I have not heard about her until now. Her motivation to bring awareness to climate change is so strong that not even the biggest corporations or politicians can keep her quiet. Her influence is making an impact all across the world and is willing to put forth her very best to bring light to this topic. The author has done a great job in helping the readers understand the dangers of climate change and how Greta Thunberg is willing to do whatever it takes to control it as much as possible.
Micheal Baladez
Much akin to many of my peers, I became familiar with Greta Thunberg through the multitude of memes utilizing clips of her “How Dare You” speech as well as the many videos and the pictures comparing, and subsequently making fun of her physical appearance. Despite this though, Ms. Thunberg’s message was made loud and clear, contest those who speak against climate change, no matter who is or is not on your side. Because of this, one cannot simply ignore the impact that this adolescent woman has left on the young public, and how the majority of us view climate change. All things considered, this article speaks truth to the strong character that Ms. Thunberg possesses, and does not let her overall message go into the absurd. Great article all in all, and would definitely read again!
Kayla Mendez
Like many others, I first heard of Great Thunberg through social media and clips of her “How Dare You” speech. Although there were many memes created from photos of her, they still contributed to her message, stand up for climate change when our politicians don’t. I had acknowledged her impact on the young public, and how we view climate change; however, her passion runs a lot deeper than I thought. This article portrayed her as a strong figure, which she is, and I appreciated that especially because of her experiences in feeling patronized.
Emilia Caballero Carmona
Hey Aracely, this article caught my eye because of the picture of Greta Thunberg at the beginning. I had heard about her because of the twitter conflict she had with President Trump about several governmental issues, but I never knew her story. By reading your article I learned that Greta is a 17 yer old activist on global warming and she actually leads the movement against global warming in the world. Greta’s story is inspiring because she struggles with her own personal challenges like Asperger’s Syndrome and still has the motivation and inspires people to make a change for this issue.
Franchesca Baldwin
It’s impressive to see how much work and dedication Greta Thunderberg has put into the cause. It takes a lot to get the media’s attention on topics like this, things the people would rather not think about. Things that not even mainstream news can sensationalize because it brings a different sort of fear, one none of us want to look at. As shown by Trump’s comments, it takes a lot to be a girl and have the audacity to shed light on something that is embedded in corruption and deceit; but as Greta sparks the beginnings of a movement, it’s going to be difficult to get grown male politicians to listen to what they simply see as an ‘angry little girl’.
Reba Reyes
It is very interesting that a child so young already knows about climate change and how we are in trouble with the Earth and how everyday it gets worse and worse. It is a good thing that she does not worry about what others have on her but rather what she thinks on herself. To start strikes and to put her foot down at such a young age already shows what the next generation’s potential contains.
Alexa Montelongo
This article highlighted Greta Thunberg’s contribution to the fight against climate change. I can’t say I’m not impressed by her hardworking but I was caught by surprise as she went on a school strike and traveled the globe to bring attention to the problems faced by climate change.Although Greta Thunberg has gotten a lot of attention from the media lately, I can’t say I’m 100% her fan as she has shown no action plans to fight for against climate change. Rather she uses her story to get pity from politicians and uses the excuse that she would rather be in school than fighting for a change.
Alyssa Vasquez
Reading this article was so interesting. Knowing that at such a young age, Greta Thunberg, had such a passion where she was able to be heard by the big people and companies to make a change for the earth. We should all learn from her if we’re passionate about something and want to make a change make sure and be heard by the right people.