Challenges in the Life of Greta Thunberg in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Greta Thunberg. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international recognition for challenging world leaders to take immediate and decisive action against climate change. Starting with school strikes in 2018, she quickly became a prominent voice in the climate conversation, addressing international forums like the United Nations. Thunberg's activism has inspired a global movement, particularly among young people, advocating for stronger climate policies and increased awareness of environmental issues. While lauded by many, she has also faced criticism and controversy for her direct approach and the perceived alarmist nature of her message. Nevertheless, she remains a significant figure in the fight against climate change.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2011: Thunberg First Heard About Climate Change

In 2011, at the age of eight, Greta Thunberg first learned about climate change. She became depressed and struggled with her mental health before starting her school strike campaign.

May 2015: Thunberg's Mother Publicly Acknowledged Her Diagnosis

In May 2015, Greta Thunberg's mother publicly disclosed her daughter's Asperger's syndrome diagnosis in Sweden to support other families. Thunberg views her Asperger's as her "superpower."

2015: Greenhouse gas emissions had risen by 4%

Greta Thunberg argued that the global wave of school strikes had "achieved nothing" because greenhouse gas emissions were still rising in December 2019 – by 4% since 2015.

August 2018: Thunberg Begins School Strikes

In August 2018, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began skipping school to protest outside the Swedish parliament. She held up a sign reading Skolstrejk för klimatet (School Strike for Climate) to demand stronger climate action, and vowed to strike every Friday until Sweden complied with the Paris Agreement.

May 2019: Thunberg addresses criticism online

In May 2019, Greta Thunberg addressed the online criticism she had received, stating that mockery of her appearance or personality indicated the critics lacked valid arguments. Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump for bullying Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the Year.

August 2019: Personal attacks and criticism against Thunberg

In August 2019, it was reported that Greta Thunberg's detractors launched personal attacks, including attacks on her autism, to undermine her influence. Columnists and media outlets were also criticized for making "ugly personal attacks" against her.

September 2019: Trump mocks Thunberg on Twitter

In September 2019, Donald Trump shared a video of Greta Thunberg addressing world leaders with a quote about mass extinction. Trump mocked her, tweeting about her seeming like "a very happy young girl." Thunberg responded by changing her Twitter bio to match his description.

September 2019: Gillespie criticizes Thunberg's histrionics

In September 2019, Nick Gillespie wrote in Reason that Greta Thunberg's histrionics were heartfelt but neither they nor the responses they conjured were a guide forward to good environmental policy.

October 2019: Putin describes Thunberg as "kind girl" but criticizes her

In October 2019, Vladimir Putin described Greta Thunberg as a "kind girl and very sincere" but suggested she was being manipulated. He criticized her as "poorly informed", claiming she didn't understand the complexity of the modern world and the aspirations of people in Africa and Asia.

December 2019: Arrived in Lisbon and spoke at COP25

In December 2019, Greta Thunberg arrived in the Port of Lisbon and traveled to Madrid to speak at COP25 and participate in the local Fridays for Future climate strikes. During a press conference before the march, she called for more "concrete action", arguing that the global wave of school strikes over the previous year had "achieved nothing" because greenhouse gas emissions were still rising – by 4% since 2015.

December 2019: Thunberg responds to Bolsonaro's "brat" comment

In December 2019, Greta Thunberg tweeted about the murders of indigenous people protecting forests. In response, then Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro called her a "brat". Thunberg then changed her Twitter description to 'pirralha', the Portuguese word for 'brat' used by Bolsonaro.

December 2019: Trump mocks Thunberg after she is named Time's Person of the Year

In December 2019, after Time named Greta Thunberg as Person of the Year for 2019, Donald Trump again mocked her on Twitter, suggesting she work on her "Anger Management problem." Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter biography to reflect Trump's comments.

2019: Thunberg addressed the UN Climate Action Summit

In 2019, Greta Thunberg sailed from England to New York to address the UN Climate Action Summit. She rebuked world leaders with the phrase "How dare you" in reference to their perceived inaction on the climate crisis.

February 2020: X-Site Energy Services sticker controversy

In February 2020, X-Site Energy Services of Alberta, Canada, distributed a sticker with a degrading image of a girl labeled "Greta", leading to public outrage. Thunberg responded on Twitter, and X-Site Energy later apologized, destroyed the stickers, and made organizational changes.

March 2020: Moved activities online due to COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, Greta Thunberg and School Strike for Climate moved their activities online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thunberg stated: "In a crisis we change our behavior and adapt to the new circumstances for the greater good of society."

July 2020: Open letter to EU leaders to make ecocide an international crime

In July 2020, Greta Thunberg, along with Luisa Neubauer, Anuna De Wever, and Adélaïde Charlier, co-authored an open letter addressed to all EU leaders and heads of state, urging them to champion the recognition of ecocide as an international crime at the International Criminal Court.

November 2020: Criticism of Political Inaction and European Green Deal

In a November 2020 interview, Greta Thunberg criticized political inaction and the European Green Deal, stating that leaders set targets for decades ahead but flinch when immediate action is needed, and that the Green Deal sends a false signal of real action.

2020: Thunberg references Trump tweet during US election

During the 2020 United States presidential election, Greta Thunberg referenced Donald Trump's tweet "Stop the count!" by tweeting about Trump's need to work on his "Anger Management problem," mirroring Trump's earlier mockery of her.

August 2021: Thunberg targeted by disinformation and conspiracies

In August 2021, Yasmeen Serhan wrote in The Atlantic that Greta Thunberg had become "the target of a barrage of disinformation and conspiracies" from the far-right and populist right, including depictions of her as a spoiled child, a leftist pawn, and even a Nazi.

October 2021: Thunberg attends COP26 in Glasgow and protests

On October 30, 2021, Greta Thunberg arrived at Glasgow Central station for the COP26. She participated in protests, including a Fridays for Future Scotland climate strike on November 5, and delivered a speech denouncing COP26 as a failure, using terms like "blah blah blah" and "greenwashing".

2021: Thunberg criticizes COP26 and calls out Xi Jinping

In 2021, prior to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Greta Thunberg expressed skepticism about the conference's potential for meaningful change. She criticized Chinese president Xi Jinping, labeling him "a leader of a dictatorship" and highlighting the need for democracy to address the climate crisis, emphasizing the power of public pressure.

January 2023: Protest and Detention in Lützerath

In January 2023, Greta Thunberg participated in a protest in Lützerath against the expansion of a coal mine and was detained by German police on January 17th, along with other activists, for demonstrating near the Garzweiler 2 opencast coal mine. She was released the same day after an identity check.

June 2023: Reclaim the Future Protest and Trial

In June 2023, Greta Thunberg participated in a Reclaim the Future protest in Malmö, Sweden, and was charged with disobeying a police order. She was later found guilty and sentenced to pay fines, but attended another protest immediately after the court decision and was again charged.

June 2023: Thunberg calls destruction of Kakhovka dam an ecocide

In June 2023, Greta Thunberg condemned the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine by Russia as an act of ecocide, advocating for prosecution and emphasizing Russia's accountability for its actions.

October 2023: Climate Protest and Controversy over Gaza

In October 2023, Greta Thunberg's post supporting Palestinians in Gaza during her climate protest drew immediate criticism for not condemning the October 7 attacks. The Israeli Ministry of Education responded by removing references to her as a role model from the curriculum.

2023: Thunberg graduated from High School

In 2023, Greta Thunberg graduated from high school and continued her activism with increasingly assertive tactics, including acts of civil disobedience.

April 2024: Extinction Rebellion Protest in The Hague

In April 2024, Greta Thunberg participated in an Extinction Rebellion protest in The Hague and was forcibly removed from blocking a road by law enforcement. She later joined another protest, was removed again, and faced potential civil disobedience charges. A Swedish court convicted her and she was fined.

2024: Boycott of COP29 and Visit to Georgia and Armenia

In 2024, Greta Thunberg boycotted COP29 due to human rights violations in Azerbaijan and visited Georgia and Armenia. In Georgia, she joined a political demonstration against the government, supporting activists defending fundamental rights.

2024: Pro-Palestinian protests, Detentions and Controversies

In 2024, Greta Thunberg was detained by Swedish police for participating in a pro-Palestinian protest during the Eurovision Song Contest, apprehended during a similar protest in Copenhagen, and removed from Stockholm University library for protesting. She was subsequently labeled "antisemite of the week" by StopAntisemitism and faced criticism for her statements on Germany and Israel.

May 2025: Cancelled Gaza Freedom Flotilla Plans

In May 2025, Greta Thunberg's plans to join the Gaza Freedom Flotilla were cancelled after one of the vessels was attacked by drones in international waters, which was intended to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst the blockade.

June 2025: Budapest Pride Protest

In June 2025, Greta Thunberg participated in the Budapest Pride to protest its ban by the Hungarian parliament.

June 2025: Freedom Flotilla Coalition Aid Mission to Gaza

In June 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched a new aid mission to Gaza aboard the UK-flagged vessel Madleen, aiming to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies, amidst renewed global scrutiny of Israel's blockade.

July 2025: Joining the Global Sumud Flotilla

In July 2025, following the capture of another aid flotilla, Greta Thunberg joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian effort to break the siege of Gaza. She is part of the steering committee.

July 2025: Protest Against Hydroelectric Plant in North Macedonia

On July 26, 2025, Greta Thunberg joined protests in North Macedonia against the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Došnica River on the Kožuf Mountain.

September 2025: Global Sumud Flotilla set sail

In September 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla, with Greta Thunberg as part of the steering committee, set sail to break the siege of Gaza.

2050: Criticism of Political Inaction and European Green Deal

In a November 2020 interview, Greta Thunberg criticized political inaction and the European Green Deal, which aims to make the European Union carbon neutral by 2050, stating that it sends a false signal of real action.