Career Timeline of Greta Thunberg: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Greta Thunberg made an impact.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international recognition for her efforts to raise awareness about climate change. She is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of global warming. Thunberg's activism began with school strikes in Sweden, which evolved into a global movement known as Fridays for Future. She has delivered speeches at international forums, including the United Nations, advocating for urgent climate action and holding world leaders accountable for their environmental policies.
1975: Collaboration with The 1975
In 2019, Greta Thunberg contributed a voiceover for a release of "The 1975", a song by the English band of the same name, urging civil disobedience. Proceeds from the song went to Extinction Rebellion at Thunberg's request.
August 2018: Thunberg Begins School Climate Strikes and Public Speeches
In August 2018, Greta Thunberg initiated school climate strikes and began delivering public speeches, which led to her international recognition as a climate activist.
August 2018: Thunberg Begins School Strike
In August 2018, at the age of 15, Greta Thunberg began skipping school to protest outside the Swedish parliament. She held a sign reading 'Skolstrejk för klimatet' (School Strike for Climate) and distributed informational flyers, demanding stronger action on climate change.
2018: Thunberg addresses the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference
In 2018, Greta Thunberg addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Following her speech, weekly climate strike protests took place on Fridays around the world.
2018: Speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
In 2018, Greta Thunberg's speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) went viral. She criticized world leaders for not being "mature enough to tell it like it is".
2018: IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C published
In 2018, the IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C was published. Greta Thunberg has cited this report, arguing that greenhouse gas emissions need to start declining steeply no later than 2020 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
2018: Publication of 'Scenes from the Heart'
In 2018, the book 'Scenes from the Heart', co-authored by Greta Thunberg and her family, was published. The book recounts the family's story of lowering their carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment.
2018: Thunberg's activism evolved
Throughout 2018, Greta Thunberg's activism evolved from a solitary protest to taking part in demonstrations throughout Europe, making several high-profile public speeches, and mobilizing her followers on social media platforms. After Sweden's 2018 general election, Thunberg continued to school strike – but only on Fridays. She inspired school students across the globe to take part in her Friday school strikes. In December alone, more than 20,000 students held strikes in at least 270 cities.
January 2019: Speech at the World Economic Forum
In January 2019, Greta Thunberg gave a speech at the World Economic Forum, declaring, "Our house is on fire." She also addressed the British, European and French parliaments and met with Pope Francis.
February 2019: Thunberg speaks at European Economic and Social Committee conference
In February 2019, at a conference of the European Economic and Social Committee, Greta Thunberg argued that the EU's emission reduction target of 40% by 2030 was insufficient, calling for an 80% reduction instead.
March 2019: Regular protests outside the Swedish parliament
In March 2019, Greta Thunberg was still staging her regular protests outside the Swedish parliament every Friday, where other students occasionally joined her.
April 2019: Thunberg speaks to the British Parliament
In April 2019, Greta Thunberg spoke to the British Parliament, criticizing world leaders for insufficient action on global emissions and emphasizing the need to reduce emissions to zero to limit global warming to 1.5°C. She advised politicians to listen to scientists.
June 2019: Increase in train travel in Sweden
In June 2019, Swedish Railways (SJ) reported an 8% increase in the number of Swedes taking trains for domestic journeys compared to the previous year, reflecting growing public concern about the impact of flying on CO2 emissions.
July 2019: Time magazine reports Thunberg taking a sabbatical year
In July 2019, Time magazine reported Greta Thunberg was taking a 'sabbatical year' from school to travel in the Americas and attend the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25).
August 2019: Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean
In August 2019, Greta Thunberg sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth, England, to New York City, in the 60-foot (18 m) racing yacht Malizia II, equipped with solar panels and underwater turbines. The voyage took 15 days, from 14 to 28 August 2019.
September 2019: Global Climate Strike
In September 2019, Greta Thunberg participated in the school strikes for climate which were attended by over four million people, with hundreds of thousands taking part in the protest in Montreal, described as the largest in the city's history. The mayor of Montreal gave her the Freedom of the City award. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance, and Thunberg spoke briefly with him.
September 2019: Attends UN Climate Action Summit
On 23 September 2019, Greta Thunberg attended the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) hosted a press conference where Thunberg joined 15 other children.
September 2019: Climate Protests in Canada and the US
In September 2019, Greta Thunberg participated in climate protests in Montreal, Edmonton, and Vancouver, Canada. She led a climate rally as part of the 27 September 2019 Global Climate Strike in Montreal. She also participated in climate protests in New York City, Washington, D.C., Iowa City, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Denver, and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, USA.
November 2019: Sailing across the Atlantic to attend COP25
In November 2019, after the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) was moved to Madrid, Spain, Thunberg, refusing to fly due to carbon emissions, secured a ride across the Atlantic Ocean on the catamaran La Vagabonde, offered by Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu. On 13 November 2019, Thunberg set sail from Hampton, Virginia, for Lisbon, Portugal.
December 2019: Arrival in Lisbon and participation in COP25
In December 2019, Greta Thunberg arrived in the Port of Lisbon on 3 December 2019, then travelled on to Madrid to speak at COP25 and participate with the local Fridays for Future climate strikers. During a press conference before the march, she called for more "concrete action".
December 2019: Thunberg speaks about climate change effects in Madrid
In December 2019, speaking in Madrid, Greta Thunberg said that climate change will disproportionately affect young people and people in the Global South.
December 2019: Guest editor of BBC Radio's Today Programme
On 30 December 2019, Greta Thunberg was the guest editor of the BBC Radio's flagship current affairs programme, the Today Programme. Thunberg's edition of the programme featured interviews on climate change with Sir David Attenborough, Bank of England chief Mark Carney, Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja, and Shell Oil executive Maarten Wetselaar.
2019: Multi-city climate protests
In 2019, Greta Thunberg sailed on a carbon-free yacht from England to New York where she addressed the UN Climate Action Summit. In her speech, Thunberg scolded the world's leaders by exclaiming "How dare you" in reference to their inaction to the climate crisis.
2019: Collaboration with Project Pressure
In 2019, Thunberg collaborated with the climate charity Project Pressure on an art piece projected onto the United Nations Secretariat Building in New York, featuring the voices of six young activists on the climate crisis.
January 2020: Calls on Siemens to stop delivery of railway equipment to Carmichael coal mine
On 11 January 2020, Greta Thunberg called on German company Siemens to stop the delivery of railway equipment to the controversial Carmichael coal mine, operated by a subsidiary of Indian company Adani Group in Australia, but on 13 January, Siemens said that it would continue to honour its contract with Adani.
January 2020: Speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos
On 21 January 2020, Greta Thunberg returned to the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, delivered two speeches, and participated in panel discussions hosted by The New York Times and the World Economic Forum. Thunberg focused on the theme: "Our house is still on fire."
February 2020: Meeting with Malala Yousafzai and joining a school strike in Bristol
In February 2020, Greta Thunberg traveled to Oxford University to meet Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pakistani activist for female education. Thunberg was later to join a school strike in Bristol.
March 2020: Adapting to the COVID-19 crisis
On 13 March 2020, Greta Thunberg stated that "In a crisis we change our behavior and adapt to the new circumstances for the greater good of society." Greta Thunberg and School Strike for Climate subsequently moved their activities online.
March 2020: Criticism of the European Climate Law
On 4 March 2020, Greta Thunberg attended an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Environment Committee to talk about the European Climate Law. There she declared that she considered the new proposal for a climate law published by the European Commission to be a surrender.
July 2020: Open letter to EU leaders
In July 2020, Greta Thunberg, along with other activists, wrote an open letter to EU leaders urging them to advocate for making ecocide an international crime at the International Criminal Court.
August 2020: Meeting with Angela Merkel
On 20 August 2020, the second anniversary of Thunberg's first strike, Greta Thunberg and fellow climate activists met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
September 2020: Plans for another global climate strike
In August 2020, following a meeting with Angela Merkel, Greta Thunberg and fellow climate activists announced plans for another global climate strike on 25 September 2020. Whether the strike would be virtual or in the streets would be determined by the pandemic situation.
December 2020: Criticism of New Zealand's climate change emergency declaration
On 14 December 2020, Greta Thunberg used Twitter to criticize the New Zealand Labour Government's recent climate change emergency declaration as "virtue signalling". On 29 December 2020, during a BBC interview, Thunberg said that climate experts are not being listened to despite the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of using science to address such issues.
2020: Thunberg advocates for steep decline in greenhouse gas emissions
Greta Thunberg has argued that the greenhouse gas emissions curve needs to start declining steeply no later than 2020 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
2020: Publication of 'Our House Is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis'
In 2020, the book 'Our House Is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis' was published, an updated version of 'Scenes from the Heart', with contributions from the girls, and the whole family credited as authors.
April 2021: Launch of the annual Climate Live concert
In April 2021, Greta Thunberg and other climate activists launched the annual Climate Live concert to highlight climate change. Their first concert was held in April 2021.
May 2021: Addresses food production system and animal welfare in the context of the COVID-19 crisis
In May 2021, Greta Thunberg addressed the COVID-19 crisis again, when she urged a change in the food production system and the protection of animals and their habitats. Thunberg's comments also addressed health concerns regarding animal welfare and the environment.
September 2021: Vogue Scandinavia cover and criticism of the fashion industry
In September 2021, Greta Thunberg appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia and criticized the fashion industry's greenwashing practices. Greta Thunberg's wearing of wool during the photoshoot garnered criticism from other vegans, who said it promoted animal cruelty.
September 2021: Criticism of world leaders at the Youth4Climate Summit in Milan
On 28 September 2021, Greta Thunberg criticized U.S. president Joe Biden, British prime minister Boris Johnson, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders over their promises to address the climate crisis in a speech at the Youth4Climate Summit in Milan. Greta Thunberg also criticized and doubted organizers of climate conferences, saying, "They invite cherry-picked young people to meetings like this to pretend they are listening to us. But they are not."
November 2021: Petition to the United Nations
In November 2021, Greta Thunberg, along with other climate activists, filed a petition to the United Nations, calling it to declare a level 3 global climate emergency, with the aim of creating a special team that will coordinate the response to the climate crisis at an international level.
December 2021: Criticism of Joe Biden's climate leadership
In December 2021, Greta Thunberg reiterated her criticism of U.S. president Joe Biden, saying, "If you call him a leader – I mean, it's strange that people think of Joe Biden as a leader for the climate when you see what his administration is doing", alluding to the United States expansions on use of fossil fuels during the Biden administration.
February 2022: Climate protest against the invasion of Ukraine
On 25 February 2022, Greta Thunberg combined her usual Friday climate protests to include opposing the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. She stood outside the Russian embassy in Stockholm holding a sign that read "Stand With Ukraine".
February 2022: Condemnation of iron mining on Sámi land
On 6 February 2022, Greta Thunberg condemned the British firm Beowulf and its mining of iron on Sámi land, emphasizing the need to prioritize indigenous rights, the environment, and the future of humanity over short-term profit.
July 2022: Criticism of the European Parliament's decision on green energy labeling
On 6 July 2022, Greta Thunberg criticized the European Parliament for voting to label fossil gas and nuclear energy as "green" energy, calling the decision "hypocrisy".
October 2022: The Climate Book release in the UK
On 27 October 2022, Greta Thunberg's book, The Climate Book, was released in the UK. The book is a compilation of essays from over one hundred experts, focusing on changes to the Earth's climate. Thunberg donated her copyright and all royalties to her foundation.
November 2022: Lawsuit against the Swedish government for climate inaction
In November 2022, Greta Thunberg, along with over 600 young people from Auroramålet, filed a lawsuit in a Stockholm district court against the Swedish government for climate inaction within Sweden.
February 2023: The Climate Book released in the United States
On 14 February 2023, The Climate Book, authored by Greta Thunberg, was released in the United States and elsewhere. Thunberg donated her copyright and all royalties to her foundation.
March 2023: Lawsuit against Sweden proceeds in court
On 21 March 2023, the Nacka District Court allowed the class action lawsuit that posits Sweden has an "insufficient climate policy" to proceed.
June 2023: Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
On 29 June 2023, Greta Thunberg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other prominent European figures to form a working group to address ecological damage from the 16-month-old Russian invasion.
June 2023: Thunberg graduates from high school
On 9 June 2023, Greta Thunberg graduated from high school, marking the day with a final school strike for climate protest before receiving her diploma. She vowed to continue her fight for climate action.
December 2023: Thunberg publishes opinion piece about Gaza's suffering
On 5 December 2023, Greta Thunberg and other members of Fridays for Future Sweden published an opinion piece in The Guardian, clarifying their support for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war. They addressed criticisms that FFF has become radicalized and stated that the organization has always been political because it is a movement for justice.
2023: Thunberg's activism continued
In 2023, after Greta Thunberg graduated from high school, her activism continued to gain international attention and her protest tactics have become increasingly assertive. As an adult, her protests have included both peaceful demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience. Thunberg's activism has evolved to include other causes, supporting Ukraine, Palestine, Armenia and Western Sahara.
2025: Criticism of New Zealand's climate goals
On 14 December 2020, Greta Thunberg tweeted that New Zealand's Labour Government had only committed to reducing less than one percent of New Zealand's carbon emissions by 2025.
2030: Thunberg criticizes the EU's emission reduction target
In February 2019, Greta Thunberg said that the EU's current intention to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 is "not sufficient to protect the future for children growing up today" and that the EU must reduce their CO2 emissions by 80%, double the 40% goal.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe second only...
Sir David Attenborough is a highly influential British broadcaster biologist...
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist advocating for female education...
Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving as...
Boris Johnson is a British politician and writer who served...
Trending
49 minutes ago Chip and Joanna Gaines Inspire Home Decor and Leave Audience Speechless After Renovation
49 minutes ago England vs India Test: Crawley stars, Stokes rebounds after Gill-Pant partnership.
49 minutes ago Burakovsky Traded to Blackhawks for Veleno: Kraken's Roster Change Analyzed.
50 minutes ago Alcaraz vs. Bautista Agut: Queen's Semifinal Preview, Prediction, and Live Schedule
2 hours ago Alexander Zverev battles illness, rallies to Halle Open semifinal berth against Cobolli.
2 hours ago Kai Trump, Donald Trump's Granddaughter, Spotted Working at Dunkin' Drive-Thru: A Humble Stunt?
Popular
The Boeing Dreamliner is an American wide-body airliner developed by...
Cristiano Ronaldo often called CR is a Portuguese professional footballer...
Sergio Gor is a Maltese American businessman and political operative...
Kristi Noem is an American politician and Air Force Auxiliary...
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international...
Benjamin Netanyahu is a prominent Israeli politician currently serving as...