At the Intersection of Kids and Activism

Last Updated on October 23, 2024

Greta Thunberg is a world-famous environmental activist with a focus on global warming. She gained fame when just a kid.

I focus on three types of activists:

• Unexpected Activists – People who are jolted into activism by an event, such as impending legislation to hamper human rights.
• Unproductive Activists – Activists who have been working for a cause but are not sure they are making an impact.
• Untested Activists – Activists who know their cause but have not yet started. Examples are teens and empty-nesters; people who are clear about their passions but are wondering how to begin.

But of course, there are exceptions to any generalization. Many young activists are not untested at all but are working hard to make change in the world. Some young people put the rest of us to shame with their focus and impact. I want to highlight a young activist who has inspired me.

Greta Thunberg: Climate Change Activist

Greta Thunberg lives in Stockholm, Sweden. After becoming aware of the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels, she started asking questions and doing research but didn’t get the answers she wanted. Since she didn’t see adults take climate change science seriously enough to act, she did. Skipping school and camping out in front of the Swedish Parliament, Greta highlighted the need for her country to support the Paris Climate Agreement. For three weeks she was there every day and finally switched to only boycotting on Fridays. A teen boycotting school was newsworthy, and her story went viral, inspiring school boycotts all over the world. Skipping school for the environment really caught on. I, for one, think the idea is a brilliant way to motivate kids to join the cause.

“And if a few children can get headlines all over the world just by not going to school, then imagine what we could all do together if we really wanted to.” Greta Thunberg

Speaking Truth to Power

Greta discloses that she is on the spectrum. For her, focusing on one intense interest is motivating. Her soft, lovely, accented English is bewitching. But it is what she says that is impactful. She does not shirk from speaking truth to power. Somehow, coming from this smart and dedicated young person asking legitimate questions about her future, you cannot help but listen intently.

But Greta is not speaking to other teens. She is speaking to those few who have the power to make a difference in fossil fuel emissions.

“Our civilization is being sacrificed for the opportunity of a very small number of people to continue making enormous amounts of money.” Greta Thunberg

Here she is speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 2019 (6 minutes long).

And here Greta speaks at the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference (3 1/2 minutes long).

Greta doesn’t mince words.

“You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake. You are not mature enough to tell it like is. Even that burden you leave to us children.” Greta Thunberg

Living Her Message

Greta was nominated for the Children’s Climate Prize. However, she declined, citing the irony of people flying to the awards ceremony and the questionable impact of these types of events in making a difference in climate change.

She refuses to fly. Her family supports her efforts by using an electric vehicle only when they cannot use bicycles. She is a vegetarian and grows her own produce.

Update 2023: Greta Thunberg – Recent Activities

Greta Thunberg remains a powerful force in the fight against global warming. Here’s an update on her recent activities:

Climate Protests: Greta continues to lead and participate in climate protests worldwide, rallying young people and garnering media attention about global warming.

Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign: She has spearheaded the #StopRosebank campaign against a significant North Sea oil project, pressuring banks to withdraw investments. The campaign has gained significant traction, with several major banks announcing their withdrawal.

Global Advocacy: She continues to speak at conferences and deliver powerful speeches, pushing world leaders to act on climate change. Her book, The Climate Book, provides a guide to the crisis and potential solutions.

Mobilizing Youth: Greta has inspired millions of young people to join the climate movement. The Fridays for Future movement, which she co-founded, has organized strikes and protests in over 180 countries.

Pressuring Governments and Businesses: Her activism has pressured governments and businesses to take concrete steps towards climate action. For example, the EU adopted a stricter climate target in 2023, partially due to the momentum generated by the climate movement.

Connecting Climate Change with Social Justice: Greta champions the link between climate change and social injustice, advocating for solutions addressing environmental and societal issues.

Greta’s Impact

I’m always interested in whether activism has an impact. So many people are trying to change the world but what is working? Greta has, without a doubt, made an impact by teaching us about the crisis that she considers a ‘house on fire’ and asking us to view the world we are leaving behind for our children.

She calls out adults on their hypocrisy of saying they love their children and then doing nothing to clean up the global warming mess they are leaving as their legacy. And, she asks us to act and make a difference in our children’s and grandchildren’s futures.

“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.” Greta Thunberg

READ NEXT

Greta’s essay

Greta’s Tedx Talk in Stockholm (11 minutes long)

Browse more activist profiles.

How to Get Started in Activism