Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Greta Thunberg

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Greta Thunberg.

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.

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

August 2019: Personal attacks from detractors

In August 2019, it was reported that Greta Thunberg's detractors had launched personal attacks, including those related to her autism. Columnists and media outlets were called out for making "ugly personal attacks" on Thunberg. Piers Morgan also mocked Thunberg.

September 2019: Trump's mocking tweet and Thunberg's response

In September 2019, Donald Trump mocked Greta Thunberg's address to world leaders, which led to Thunberg changing her Twitter bio to match Trump's description. The tweet included a video of Thunberg angrily addressing world leaders, along with her quote that "people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction."

September 2019: Criticism and deplorable responses

In September 2019, Nick Gillespie criticized Greta Thunberg's approach, arguing it was not a guide to good environmental policy.

October 2019: Putin's description and criticism

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" and said she didn't understand the complexities of the modern world.

December 2019: Trump's mockery after Time's Person of the Year award

In December 2019, Donald Trump mocked Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the Year for 2019. Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter biography to reflect Trump's comments.

December 2019: Bolsonaro's response to Thunberg's tweet about indigenous people

In December 2019, after Greta Thunberg tweeted about the murder of indigenous people protecting the forest, then Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro called her a 'brat'. She responded by changing her Twitter description to pirralha, the Portuguese word for 'brat'.

December 2019: Deutsche Bahn (DB) Controversy

In December 2019, Greta Thunberg tweeted about traveling on overcrowded trains in Germany. Deutsche Bahn (DB) initially apologized but later chided her for not acknowledging a first-class seat. Greta clarified she got a seat after four hours, highlighting the demand for train travel.

December 2019: Donald Trump's attack on Thunberg

In December 2019, after Thunberg was named Time's youngest Person of the Year, then US president Donald Trump criticized her on Twitter, suggesting she work on her anger management. Thunberg responded by updating her Twitter profile description to reflect Trump's comments.

February 2020: X-Site Energy Services sticker incident

In February 2020, X-Site Energy Services of Alberta, Canada, distributed a sticker depicting a violent image against a girl labeled "Greta". Greta Thunberg responded on Twitter, stating it showed that "we're winning." X-Site Energy later apologized and took responsibility for the incident.

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's comment on Trump's "Stop the count!" tweet

During the 2020 United States presidential election, Greta Thunberg responded to Donald Trump's "Stop the count!" tweet with a similar mocking comment that Trump had previously used against her.

2020: Speaks out against Indian entrance exams

In 2020, Greta Thunberg spoke out against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2020 and Joint Entrance Examination 2020 entrance exams in India, citing the unfairness of conducting exams during a global pandemic and the impact of floods on students.

2020: Thunberg supports Indian farmers' protest

In 2020, Greta Thunberg tweeted her support for the 2020-2021 Indian farmers' protest.

February 2021: Thunberg supports Indian farmers' protest

In February 2021, Greta Thunberg tweeted her support for the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest, which led to backlash from Hindutva nationalists and the Indian government. She also linked to an outdated document with campaigning advice, which resulted in the arrest of an Indian climate activist. On 16 February 2021 Disha Ravi, was arrested under the charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy.

August 2021: Target of disinformation and conspiracies

In August 2021, Yasmeen Serhan wrote that Greta Thunberg had become the target of disinformation and conspiracies from the far-right and populist right.

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.

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: 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".

January 2023: Thunberg detained at Lützerath protest

On 14 and 17 January 2023, Greta Thunberg participated in a protest in Lützerath against the expansion of a coal mine, calling on German authorities to stop the expansion. She was detained by German police on 17 January while demonstrating at the Garzweiler 2 coal mine, and released the same day after an identity check.

June 2023: Thunberg charged at Reclaim the Future protest

On 19 June 2023, Greta Thunberg participated in a Reclaim the Future protest in Malmö, Sweden, and was charged with disobeying a police order.

June 2023: Greta called the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine by Russia an ecocide and called for prosecution.

In June 2023, Greta called the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine by Russia an ecocide and called for prosecution, stating "Russia needs to be held accountable for their action and for their crimes. The eyes of the world are on them now".

July 2023: Thunberg convicted for disobeying police order

On 24 July 2023, Greta Thunberg's trial was held at Malmö District Court, and she was found guilty of disobeying a police order during a protest. She was sentenced to pay fines totaling SEK 2,500.

August 2023: Thunberg cancels appearance at Edinburgh International Book Festival

On 4 August 2023, Greta Thunberg cancelled her appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, scheduled for 11 August, to promote her book, The Climate Book. The cancellation was due to the festival's sponsorship by Baillie Gifford, an investment management firm with connections to the fossil fuel industry.

The Climate Book: The Facts and the Solutions

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October 2023: Thunberg found guilty in second Swedish trial

On 11 October 2023, Greta Thunberg was found guilty in her second Swedish trial for disobeying a police order during the 24 July 2023 incident. She was ordered to pay fines totaling SEK 4,500.

October 2023: Thunberg arrested in London during Energy Intelligence Forum protest

On 18 October 2023, Greta Thunberg was arrested in London for protesting against the Energy Intelligence Forum. She was charged with failure to comply with a lawful order to disperse.

October 2023: Thunberg criticized for pro-Palestinian stance amidst Gaza war

On 20 October 2023, Greta Thunberg posted a photo supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during her climate protest, which led to criticism for not condemning the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Education removed references to her in the educational curriculum.

November 2023: Thunberg pleads not guilty in London protest case

On 15 November 2023, Greta Thunberg appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and entered a plea of "not guilty" regarding her arrest during the Energy Intelligence Forum protest.

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.

April 2024: Thunberg charged with civil disobedience in Sweden

On 23 April 2024, Greta Thunberg was charged with civil disobedience for allegedly ignoring police orders to leave two climate demonstrations blocking Sweden's parliament building on 12 and 14 March.

April 2024: Thunberg participates in Extinction Rebellion protest in The Hague

On 6 April 2024, Greta Thunberg participated in an Extinction Rebellion protest in The Hague where law enforcement forcibly removed her from blocking a road. She was detained and then joined another protest and was again removed.

May 2024: Thunberg detained at pro-Palestinian protest during Eurovision

On 11 May 2024, Greta Thunberg was detained by Swedish police for participating in a pro-Palestinian protest outside Malmö Arena, which was hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. She subsequently released a statement opposing Israel's participation in the contest.

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May 2024: Thunberg convicted of civil disobedience in Sweden

On 8 May 2024, Greta Thunberg was convicted by a Swedish court of civil disobedience and fined kr 6,000 (US$550) for ignoring police orders during climate demonstrations. She was also ordered to pay an additional SEK 1,000 in damages.

September 2024: Thunberg apprehended during pro-Palestinian protest in Copenhagen

In September 2024, Greta Thunberg was apprehended by Danish police during a pro-Palestinian protest in Copenhagen. She was detained for blocking the entrance to a building at the University of Copenhagen and was "carried out" from the library of Stockholm University by Stockholm police after she participated in an encampment inside the library.

November 2024: Thunberg reflects on her pro-Palestine activism

In November 2024, Greta Thunberg reflected on her pro-Palestine activism.

December 2024: Thunberg declares "Fuck Germany and fuck Israel" at pro-Palestine rally

In December 2024, while speaking at a pro-Palestine rally in Mannheim, Germany, Greta Thunberg declared "Fuck Germany and fuck Israel." In response, a local CDU politician accused Thunberg of "moving very consciously in close proximity to anti-Semitism".

May 2025: Thunberg's Gaza Freedom Flotilla plans cancelled after drone attack

In May 2025, Greta Thunberg was planning to board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, but the plans were cancelled after one of the vessels was hit by a drone attack in international waters off the coast of Malta. The mission aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

June 2025: Freedom Flotilla Coalition launches new aid mission to Gaza

In June 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched a new aid mission to Gaza aboard the vessel Madleen, aiming to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies. The flotilla follows a 15-year history of similar attempts, many of which have been intercepted or blocked by Israeli forces.

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.