Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg (born 3 January 2003) is a world-renowned Swedish activist initially famous for her solo "school strike for climate" that sparked the global Fridays for Future movement. Over the years, her activism has expanded beyond the environment to include human rights and anti-war advocacy. 

Greta Thunberg - Right Livelihood

Greta Thunberg, schoolgirl climate change warrior: 'Some ...

Greta Thunberg: Biography, Activist, Youth Climate Movement

Recent & Notable Activism (2024–2026)

Pro-Palestinian Advocacy: In 2025, she joined the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" to deliver medical and food supplies to Gaza. She was intercepted and detained by the Israeli military in international waters in June 2025 and again in October 2025, leading to her deportation.

Arrests at Protests: She has been arrested multiple times for civil disobedience, including at a Gaza war protest in Copenhagen (September 2024) and a Palestine Action demo (December 2025).

Global Solidarity: She has publicly supported the Indian farmers' protests (2021) and recently protested against the COP29 summit in Baku, calling out the host country for "greenwashing". 

Background & Personal Life

The "Superpower": Greta was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, OCD, and selective mutism. She famously refers to her autism as a "superpower" that helps her see the climate crisis in "black and white" without compromises.

Lifestyle: She practices a low-carbon lifestyle, which includes being vegan and refusing to fly; she notably sailed across the Atlantic in a zero-carbon racing yacht to attend the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit.

Family: Her parents are opera singer Malena Ernman and actor Svante Thunberg. They detailed their family's journey in the book Our House Is on Fire. 

Key Recognition

Time Person of the Year: In 2019, she became the youngest individual to receive this title.

Awards: She has received the Right Livelihood Award (often called the "Alternative Nobel Prize") and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times.

Academic Honors: She holds honorary degrees from institutions like the University of British Columbia (UBC).