Speaking up

By Martine Allars November 9, 2020
Reading Time: 2 Minutes Print this page
Greta Thunberg has been an international voice for climate change since she was 15 (now 17) when she took her first stand for the planet. Since that time Greta has spoken in front of the UN, amassed a social following of 10 million and created a world-wide movement. We admire everything Greta says and does… View Article

Greta Thunberg has been an international voice for climate change since she was 15 (now 17) when she took her first stand for the planet. Since that time Greta has spoken in front of the UN, amassed a social following of 10 million and created a world-wide movement. We admire everything Greta says and does for the Earth but here are three more reasons to love her …

(1) Perspective matters. Greta was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome ( a condition on the Autism spectrum which affects the way you think, feel and interact with everything around you), when she was just 12.

Greta is huge advocate for educating the world about this diagnosis and how, “under the right circumstances it can truly be a gift and turn into something you – and society – can benefit from.” Greta sees her autism as a super power – and – so do we!

(2) Every voice is powerful.

It all began in 2018, when Greta was just 15. She won a climate change essay contest. A few months later Greta began protesting outside the Swedish parliament building. Her handmade sign simply read ‘School strike for climate.’

Greta vowed that she would keep coming back until her government met the Paris 2015 emissions target. Her one lone voice has sparked a world-wide call to action. Greta reminded all of us, it doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, or where you are – we can all make a difference.

Time Magazine cover of Greta.

(3) Take the high ground. Greta has been the face of fierce and unnecessary criticism from some of the world’s most disappointing leaders.

Case in point, after Greta was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year (wow), Donald Trump took it upon himself to say, “So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”

Greta responded on Twitter with “A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend.”

Word …

We have put together some of our favourite Greta quotes together for you.

You can get involved with Greta’s good work by visiting: https://fridaysforfuture.org.

Right now, Fridays For Future movement has more than 14,000,000 people taking part in over 7,500 cities.