By Ophelia Kimber, Staff Writer
AMBITION: Seventeen year-old Greta Thunberg continues her fight against the climate crisis even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
At only fifteen, unaware of what was to unfold, Greta Thunberg did what many before her had done. She used her voice, and this time it changed the world. In August of 2018, she participated in her first ever “school strike for climate” outside the Swedish parliament and, just two years later, has sparked a global movement. All eyes are on her as the news of the climate crisis is placed front and center in the global consciousness.Yet Thunberg, now seventeen, seems unimpressed by her role as an unexpected figure now leading millions of youth protesters around the globe in the continued fight for climate justice.
Through her strikes and calls to action, she has gained a substantial following. One of her most notable supporters is Sir David Attenborough, the admired broadcaster for documentaries such as Planet Earth. Attenborough has dedicated his life to informing the world of the beauty of nature and the desperate need to change the way humans interact with it. In an interview with BBC, he claimed Greta has done “what many have failed to achieve.” She has “aroused the world” and put the climate crisis “on the front lines.” In addition to support though, Thunberg has also drawn criticism. In 2019 she was granted the title of Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, making her the youngest to be crowned the honor. Her achievement appeared to strike a nerve with President Donald Trump who posted a tweet saying that the situation was ridiculous and that Thunberg needed to work on her anger management. Thunberg, however, seems unfazed and has continued her advocacy for planet Earth. She appeared unapologetic at the United Nations Climate Summit in September of 2019, where she delivered her famous demand for leaders to take action against the climate crisis. In her speech, she expressed her desperation and concern about the crisis which she referred to as “the beginning of a mass extinction.” Regardless of the criticism she receives, Thunberg’s work continues, and she has no plans of stopping any time soon.
As if she was not already challenged enough, Thunberg is now facing the COVID-19 pandemic. A movement like hers, so dependent on the massive crowds in her school strikes, easily could have been derailed by the pandemic. Despite this challenge, Thunberg has continued to fight for climate justice, reaching over 100 weeks of striking. Taking the necessary precautions and adhering to advice suggested by scientists around the world, Thunberg has taken her strikes to social media. Roars of massive protests have turned into surges of hashtags and posts.
Thunberg’s dedication has not been limited to the climate crisis exclusively. Alongside Danish NGO Human Act, she has launched a funding campaign in support of UNICEF’s work in protecting vulnerable children who “will suffer the most… whether it is the climate crisis or the corona crisis.” The funding is aimed to provide supply of soap, masks, gloves, and other needed equipment for at-risk children during the pandemic. Thunberg also made an appearance on CNN’s COVID-19 Town Hall where she stressed the importance of listening to the thousands of scientists around the world working to fight the pandemic. She further commented on how the pandemic has influenced a surge of people to listen to scientists, which she hopes may also happen for the climate crisis. When speaking on a Swedish radio channel, Sveriges, Thunberg explained that the sudden force used to act against the pandemic demonstrates the capability of doing the same for the climate crisis. However, Thunberg still received criticism for her appearance on the Town Hall for her lack of medical expertise. Donald Trump Jr. sarcastically tweeted about Thunberg’s “remarkable career [as] a world renowned infectious disease specialist,” to which CNN host Anderson Cooper responded that it was never CNN’s intent to advertise Thunberg as a medical expert. Although seeing as she leads a following of millions, many still sided with her in noting the importance of the precautions the youth need to take during the pandemic. On both CNN and Instagram Thunberg revealed, despite not being able to be tested because of restrictions in Sweden, that she believes she did catch the virus earlier this year. She informed her Instagram followers of the virus’ dangers and seriousness and the important responsibility those that are not at severe risk have. She self-isolated from her family and explained that “Had it not been for someone else having the virus simultaneously [she] might not even have suspected anything.” Despite not being 100 percent sure if she had the virus, Thunberg still isolated herself, determining it as “the right thing to do” for society. On CNN she further elaborated that “many people don’t even know they have symptoms and they might spread the virus without even noticing it” with which she stressed again the importance that the youth play in the pandemic.
Greta Thunberg, despite the adverse challenges she faces from critics and the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to lead her generation. Her individual school strike outside of the Swedish parliament has quickly sparked a fiery movement with over a million supporters. Her actions have inspired a generation of young people to take matters into their own hands. At only 17 years old, with the support of millions behind her, Greta Thunberg is changing the world.
To learn more about COVID-19, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html