The Power of youth:Greta Thunberg’s Climate fight
- Ivory Williams
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
As of 2026, protesting is nothing new to generations old and new as it serves as the primary form of political outcry. Here in the US, we’ve seen protests break out yearly since 2020 over presidency, covid-19, police violence, and directions from the administration. All over the world however, populations in every region and in every type of political system are likely to demand more of their political and corporate leaders. This discontent has led to a surge in public activism in the decade with people using very visible tactics, including mass protests and nationwide boycotts. One criticism of these methods however is their longevity, boycotts can fizzle out, and protests can lose traction. This problem is one social groups fight, and one that Greta Thunberg actively stands against.
Who is she and what's her backstory?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who primarily advocates for climate change awareness. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 2003. When she was eight, she first learned of climate change. When she was 11, her life was changed after a teacher showed her class a video about climate change. It showcased “starving polar bears, extreme weather, and flooding” all as a result of the phenomenon. While the rest of her class moved on after watching the video, she didn't and ended up falling into a deep, months-long depression. This video changed her and her family's perspectives, and caused them to change their lifestyles to reduce their own carbon footprint. This wasn't enough for Greta though, and this would push her to begin protesting and leading others to protest climate change starting with her school, and ending with the world.
What were her most significant accomplishments?
Greta Thunberg has accomplished many incredible feats as well as started many notable movements, one being the #FridaysforFuture. Every Friday in 9th grade she began to skip school to protest outside of the Swedish parliament, urging the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is something she kept up throughout high school. In December 2018, she spoke at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP24), giving the infamous words: “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.”
According to rightlivelihood.org: in August 2019, she also embarked on a two-week sailing trip across the Atlantic that took her to New York to participate in the UN Climate Action Summit 2019. She decided to take a year off from school to be part of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) that was supposed to be held in Santiago, Chile but was later moved to Madrid, Spain.
Recently in 2025, she was one of the activists that led what was coined the “Freedom Flotilla” towards Gaza in an effort to break Israel's blockade. Although the flotilla was intercepted, she held hope and continued her advocacy for Palestine, stating: "If you as a climate activist don't also fight for a free Palestine and an end to colonialism and oppression all over the world, then you should not be able to call yourself a climate activist”.
Why should she matter to you?
Greta Thunberg is someone who relentlessly protested, often putting her safety and education (aspects of life most of us won't risk) on the line to spread a message important to her. She often did this alone, too, continuing her fight even when no one stood beside her. She is single-handedly one of the biggest reasons we have such a strong awareness of climate change, as she (in the world of Laureate Sheila Watt Cloutier, an Inuit activist and environmental campaigner): “put the climate crisis on the map more than most of us would have been able to do in decades”.
She should and does serve as an inspiration for us as youth in a world that denounces young people all over the world for using their voices when it comes to anything deemed political. She shows the world that anyone can use their voice and create change, and that you shouldn't be afraid to. Her courage and leadership to fight the same issue despite criticism serve as a monument to why you should never give up.
Where can you read more?
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