Heritage Edition – The Legacy of Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish 19-year-old climate activist, who first got her start back in 2018 when she was fifteen and was protesting outside of the Swedish Parliament holding a sign that read, “School Strike for Climate” (The Guardian). She did this in a way to try to pressure the Swedish government to meet the emission targets. 

For Thunberg, it all started when she first attempted to convince her parents to adopt a new lifestyle in hopes of decreasing their carbon footprint. Something that set Thunberg aside from everybody else was how bold she was with her words, and she knew exactly how to use them. Being straightforward and blunt when speaking about her cause, politicians, or simply the people in power, she didn’t try to sugarcoat the wrong or empathize with those who clearly did not need it.

In past interviews, Thunberg has stated someone to inspire her to start and keep going was Rosa Parks and went on to talk about how “One person can make such a huge difference” (BBC). Thunberg has talked a lot about her intentions, inspiration, and role models in the past. At such a young age, she’s a huge role model and inspiration to many young kids. Another person she has mentioned that was a big role model to her was Malala, when she met her back in early 2020 in England.

Thunberg, since her start in 2018, has gone on to do big things and accomplish a lot. She’s done so much, for example, she’s the founder of Fridays for Future and was TIMES magazine’s youngest person of the year. She spoke at the united nations climate back in 2018, and she was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize more than once. 

People admire her and her work so much, but of course, like with any well-known person, no one is ever free of judgment. Many people don’t like her for all sorts of reasons. Her ideas may not benefit them financially. She speaks for the future generation, and many adults want what will benefit them most in their lifetime, and for some middle-aged adults being told off by a young teenage girl hits just a little too close to home.

A legacy I think Thunberg has left is her impact on activism, and how it’s viewed by younger generations and children who think their voice isn’t heard. Of course, she’s not the first young activist, but I definitely think she’s inspired and empowered many other young kids watching her, and being their example to look up to. That change comes from the people and any one person could make a difference. Aside from the people, she’s impacted I think another really big part of her legacy was the things she was able to accomplish and not give up because of the things people had to say about her or the things she had to go through when she began protesting in 2018 she had a purpose and a goal, to this day she’s still going on strong.