Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Greta Thunberg.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who gained international recognition for her direct and uncompromising approach to addressing climate change. She initiated the "school strike for climate" movement, inspiring millions of students worldwide to protest for stronger climate action. Thunberg has addressed the United Nations and other global forums, holding world leaders accountable for their inaction and urging them to prioritize scientific evidence. She is known for her powerful speeches and unwavering commitment to raising awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis, making her a prominent figure in the global climate movement.
August 2019: Personal Attacks Launched Against Thunberg
In August 2019, various individuals and organizations launched personal attacks against Greta Thunberg, including mocking her autism and resorting to ad hominem attacks, as reported by Scientific American and The Guardian. Piers Morgan and Germany's right-wing populist party AfD also mocked Thunberg.
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September 2019: Trump Mocks Thunberg on Twitter
In September 2019, Donald Trump shared a video of Greta Thunberg angrily addressing world leaders, commenting, "She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!" Thunberg reacted by changing her Twitter bio to match his description.
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October 2019: Putin Describes Thunberg as "Kind Girl and Very Sincere"
In October 2019, Vladimir Putin described Greta Thunberg as a "kind girl and very sincere" but suggested she was being manipulated. Thunberg updated her Twitter bio to reflect Putin's description of her.
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December 2019: Trump Attacks Thunberg After Time's Person of the Year Naming
According to ABC news, in December 2019, Donald Trump attacked Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's youngest Person of the Year, advising her to work on her anger management. Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter (now X) profile description accordingly.
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December 2019: Trump Again Mocks Thunberg After Person of the Year Award
In December 2019, Donald Trump again mocked Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the Year for 2019, tweeting about her anger management. Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter biography to reflect his comments.
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December 2019: Criticism from Deutsche Bahn
In December 2019, Greta Thunberg faced criticism from the German rail firm Deutsche Bahn (DB) after tweeting a photo of herself on an overcrowded train. DB initially apologized but later deleted the tweet and chided Greta for not acknowledging their efforts to provide her with a seat in first class. Greta clarified the situation, emphasizing that overcrowded trains indicate high demand for train travel.
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December 2019: Thunberg Tweets About Indigenous People and Deforestation
In December 2019, Greta Thunberg tweeted about the murder of indigenous people protecting the forest from illegal deforestation. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro responded by calling her a "brat", leading Thunberg to change her Twitter description to "pirralha".
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February 2020: X-Site Energy Services Distributes Offensive Sticker
In February 2020, X-Site Energy Services of Alberta, Canada, distributed a sticker depicting a violent image against a girl labeled "Greta". Thunberg responded on Twitter, stating that it showed they were winning. The company later apologized and took responsibility.
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March 2020: Criticism of the European Climate Law
On March 4, 2020, Greta Thunberg attended a meeting of the European Parliament's Environment Committee, where she criticized the European Commission's proposed climate law, considering it a "surrender".
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December 2020: Criticism of New Zealand's Climate Change Declaration
In December 2020, Greta Thunberg criticized the New Zealand Labour Government's climate change emergency declaration as "virtue signalling", pointing out the limited emission reduction commitment.
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2020: Thunberg speaks out against entrance exams
In 2020, Greta Thunberg spoke out against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) and Joint Entrance Examination entrance exams, which were conducted in India in September, due to the global pandemic and floods.
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2020: Indian farmers' protest
In 2020, Greta Thunberg tweeted her support of the ongoing 2020-2021 Indian farmers' protest, which led to criticism and controversy. She linked to a document that provided a campaigning toolkit for those who wanted to support the farmers' protest.
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February 2021: Thunberg supports Indian farmers
In February 2021, Greta Thunberg tweeted her support of the ongoing 2020-2021 Indian farmers' protest, which led to criticism and controversy.
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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.
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September 2021: Vogue Scandinavia Cover and Criticism of Fashion Industry
In September 2021, Greta Thunberg appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia, criticizing the fashion industry's "greenwashing" and its contribution to the climate and ecological emergency.
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September 2021: Criticism of World Leaders at Youth4Climate Summit
On September 28, 2021, Greta Thunberg criticized world leaders, including Joe Biden and Boris Johnson, for their climate promises at the Youth4Climate Summit in Milan.
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December 2021: Criticism of Joe Biden's Climate Leadership
In December 2021, Greta Thunberg reiterated her criticism of U.S. president Joe Biden, questioning his climate leadership given the U.S. expansions on use of fossil fuels.
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July 2022: Criticism of EU's Green Energy Labeling
On July 6, 2022, Greta Thunberg criticized the European Parliament for voting to label fossil gas and nuclear energy as "green" energy, calling the decision "hypocrisy."
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January 2023: Protest and Detention in Lützerath
On January 14, 2023, Greta Thunberg spoke at a protest in Lützerath against the expansion of a coal mine. On January 17, 2023, she was detained with other activists by German police during a demonstration at the Garzweiler 2 coal mine and released the same day after an identity check.
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June 2023: Participation in Reclaim the Future Protest in Malmö
On June 19, 2023, Greta Thunberg participated in a Reclaim the Future protest in Malmö, Sweden, leading to charges for disobeying a police order.
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July 2023: Trial and Conviction for Disobeying Police Order
On July 24, 2023, Greta Thunberg's trial was held at Malmö District Court, resulting in a conviction for disobedience to authority and a fine of 2,500 SEK. She attended another similar protest on the same day and was forcibly removed by police and later criminally charged.
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August 2023: Cancellation of Appearance at Edinburgh International Book Festival
On August 4, 2023, Greta Thunberg cancelled her scheduled appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on August 11, 2023, due to the festival's sponsorship by Baillie Gifford, a firm with connections to the fossil fuel industry.
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October 2023: Second Swedish Trial and Conviction for Disobedience
On October 11, 2023, Greta Thunberg's second Swedish trial for disobedience occurred, relating to the 24 July 2023 incident. She was found guilty and ordered to pay fines totaling 4,500 Swedish crowns.
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October 2023: Arrest in London During Energy Intelligence Forum Protest
On October 18, 2023, Greta Thunberg was arrested in London for protesting against the Energy Intelligence Forum and charged with failure to comply with a lawful order to disperse.
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October 2023: Controversy over Palestine Solidarity Post
On October 20, 2023, Greta Thunberg posted a photo supporting Palestinians, leading to criticism for not condemning Hamas. She later clarified her stance, but the Israeli Ministry of Education removed references to her as a role model.
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November 2023: Not Guilty Plea in London Court
On November 15, 2023, Greta Thunberg appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and entered a plea of "not guilty" related to her arrest during a protest in London.
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April 2024: Charged with Civil Disobedience in Sweden
On April 23, 2024, Greta Thunberg was charged with civil disobedience for allegedly ignoring police orders during climate demonstrations in March that blocked Sweden's parliament. She entered a plea of not guilty.
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April 2024: Detention During Extinction Rebellion Protest in The Hague
On April 6, 2024, Greta Thunberg was forcibly removed by law enforcement from a road blockade during an Extinction Rebellion-led protest in The Hague, Netherlands. She was removed multiple times from different locations and may or may not have been arrested.
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May 2024: Conviction and Fine for Civil Disobedience in Sweden
On May 8, 2024, Greta Thunberg was convicted by a Swedish court for civil disobedience and fined 6,000 Swedish Kronor (US$550), with an additional 1,000 Swedish Kronor (US$92) in damages.
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September 2024: Detention During Pro-Palestinian Protest in Copenhagen and Stockholm
In September 2024, Greta Thunberg was detained during a pro-Palestinian protest in Copenhagen and was "carried out" by police from the library of Stockholm University after participating in an encampment.
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2024: Detention at Pro-Palestinian Protest During Eurovision
In May 2024, Greta Thunberg was detained by Swedish police for participating in a pro-Palestinian protest outside Malmö Arena during the Eurovision Song Contest, subsequently releasing a statement opposing Israel's participation.
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