Lasting Legacy of Greta Thunberg: A Look at the Influence on History

How the contributions of Greta Thunberg continue to shape the world today.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who gained international recognition for her outspoken advocacy for immediate action against climate change. Beginning with school strikes in 2018, she has challenged world leaders, demanding they prioritize climate science and implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Her activism has inspired a global movement of young people, and she has addressed numerous international forums, including the United Nations. Thunberg is known for her uncompromising stance and unwavering commitment to raising awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis.

Sections (7)

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

1975: Collaboration with 'The 1975'

In 1975, Greta Thunberg contributed a voiceover for a release of "The 1975", a song by the English band by the same name. Thunberg finishes the song by urging people to undertake civil disobedience and rebel. Proceeds were given to Extinction Rebellion at Thunberg's request.

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2008: Introduction of Climate Change Act

In response to Greta Thunberg's outspoken stance on climate change, Ed Miliband, the Labour politician responsible for introducing the Climate Change Act 2008, acknowledged the impact of her activism.

August 2018: Start of school strike

In August 2018, Greta Thunberg's climate activism began with her school strike, a key event memorialized in the documentary "I Am Greta".

August 2018: Greta Thunberg Begins School Strike for Climate

In August 2018, at the age of 15, Greta Thunberg started skipping school to protest in front of the Swedish parliament. She demanded stronger action on climate change, holding a sign saying 'Skolstrejk för klimatet' (School Strike for Climate) and handing out informational flyers.

2018: IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C

Greta Thunberg refers to IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C published in 2018 which detailed that greenhouse gas emissions curve needs to start declining steeply.

2018: Thunberg Speaks at COP24

In 2018, Greta Thunberg's speech during the plenary session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) went viral. She criticized world leaders for not being mature enough to address the climate crisis.

2018: Publication of 'Scenes from the Heart'

In 2018, the book "Scenes from the Heart" was published, recounting the Thunberg family's story of adapting to a low-carbon lifestyle.

2018: Thunberg's Activism Evolves

Throughout the autumn of 2018, Greta Thunberg's activism evolved from a solitary protest to demonstrations throughout Europe. In December 2018, she continued to school strike on Fridays, inspiring students worldwide to join her.

January 2019: Thunberg Speaks at World Economic Forum

In January 2019, Greta Thunberg gave a speech at the World Economic Forum, declaring "Our house is on fire."

February 2019: EU Conference Speech on Emission Cuts

In February 2019, Greta Thunberg spoke at a conference of the European Economic and Social Committee, arguing that the EU's 40% emission cut target by 2030 is insufficient and must be doubled to 80%.

February 2019: EU budget allocation for climate action

In February 2019, Jean-Claude Juncker announced that the EU would allocate every fourth euro in the next financial period (2021-2027) towards climate change mitigation.

February 2019: Academics show support for Thunberg

In February 2019, a group of 224 academics voiced their backing for Greta Thunberg's activism and the school strikes, acknowledging their inspiration in amplifying the importance of climate action.

April 2019: Speech to British Parliament

In April 2019, Greta Thunberg spoke to the British Parliament, criticizing world leaders for insufficient action on global emissions and urging them to listen to scientists rather than just lowering emissions.

May 2019: Time magazine cover feature

In May 2019, Greta Thunberg was featured on the cover of Time magazine, described as a role model and one of the "Next Generation Leaders".

May 2019: UN Secretary-General Endorses School Strikes

In May 2019, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres endorsed the school strikes led by Greta Thunberg and admitted that his generation had failed to address climate change effectively, calling on the youth to "rescue the planet."

May 2019: Green parties gain seats in European Parliament

In May 2019, climate issues influenced the European Parliament election, with Green parties achieving their best results, particularly in northern European countries where youth were inspired by Greta Thunberg.

June 2019: Increased rail travel in Sweden

In June 2019, Swedish Railways (SJ) reported an 8% increase in domestic train journeys in Sweden compared to the previous year, indicating growing public concern about the impact of flying on CO2 emissions.

June 2019: Public concern about environment soars in UK

In June 2019, a YouGov poll revealed a significant increase in public concern about the environment in the UK, attributed to Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion.

August 2019: Increase in sales of children's books about climate crisis

In August 2019, publications and sales of children's books addressing the climate crisis doubled compared to the previous year, reportedly due to the "Greta effect."

September 2019: Attended UN Climate Summit in New York

In September 2019, Greta Thunberg attended the United Nations Climate Summit in New York City, a journey that involved a two-week sea voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe, as documented in "I Am Greta".

September 2019: Vogue cover feature

In September 2019, Greta Thunberg was featured on the cover of Vogue magazine, which was guest-edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

September 2019: Speeches incorporated into music

In September 2019, John Meredith set Greta Thunberg's UN Action Summit speech to death metal. Also in September 2019, Megan Washington and Robert Davidson used the same 'how dare you' speech for a performance at an event exploring the future of music. DJ Fatboy Slim created a mashup of this speech with his dance hit "Right Here, Right Now".

September 2019: Support from US presidential candidates

In September 2019, following her speech at the action summit in New York, Democratic candidates such as Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke, and Bernie Sanders voiced their support for Greta Thunberg.

December 2019: Madrid Speech on Climate Change Effects

In December 2019, Greta Thunberg spoke in Madrid about the disproportionate effect of climate change on young people and the Global South, emphasizing that their future/present is being compromised for profit.

December 2019: Deutsche Bahn controversy

In December 2019, Greta Thunberg tweeted a photo of herself on an overcrowded train in Germany, leading to criticism from Deutsche Bahn (DB). DB initially apologized for the inconvenience but later deleted the tweet and criticized Greta for not acknowledging being provided a seat in first class later. Greta clarified the situation, emphasizing that overcrowded trains indicate high demand for train travel.

December 2019: Donald Trump's tweet about Greta Thunberg

In December 2019, after Greta Thunberg was named Time's youngest Person of the Year, then sitting US president Donald Trump tweeted that she should work on her anger management and watch a movie. In response, Thunberg updated her Twitter profile to reflect Trump's comments.

December 2019: World Wakes Up to Climate Change

In December 2019, the New Scientist highlighted the impact of Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion, headlining "The year the world woke up to climate change."

2019: Collaboration with Project Pressure

In 2019, Greta Thunberg collaborated with the climate charity Project Pressure on an art piece projected onto the UN building in New York, featuring the voices of six young activists, including Thunberg herself. The commentary, visualised by Joseph Michael, authored by Klaus Thymann, and with music by Brian Eno, was on the climate crisis.

2019: Thunberg Addresses UN Climate Action Summit

In 2019, Greta Thunberg sailed to New York to address the UN Climate Action Summit. During her speech, she famously scolded world leaders with the phrase "How dare you," criticizing their inaction on the climate crisis.

2019: Thunberg Named Time Person of the Year

In 2019, Greta Thunberg was named the youngest Time Person of the Year and was included in Forbes' list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women. She also received nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

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 of a girl labeled "Greta." Greta Thunberg responded on Twitter, seeing it as a sign of their movement's success. X-Site Energy later apologized, admitting distribution, destroying copies, and making organizational changes.

March 2020: Moved Activities Online Due to COVID-19

On 13 March 2020, Greta Thunberg stated that in a crisis, society changes behavior and adapts to new circumstances for the greater good. Thunberg and School Strike for Climate subsequently moved their activities online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020: Appearance in Pearl Jam's music video

In May 2020, Greta Thunberg was featured in Pearl Jam's music video "Retrograde". She appears as a fortune teller, with images in her crystal ball depicting climate change effects.

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July 2020: Open letter to EU leaders

In July 2020, Greta Thunberg, along with Luisa Neubauer, Anuna De Wever and Adélaïde Carlier, penned an open letter addressed to EU leaders and heads of state, urging them to champion the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

September 2020: "I Am Greta" world premiere at Venice Film Festival

On 3 September 2020, the documentary "I Am Greta" had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

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November 2020: Criticism of Political Inaction and the European Green Deal

In a November 2020 interview, Greta Thunberg criticized political inaction on climate change, specifically the European Green Deal, stating that leaders set targets for decades ahead but flinch from immediate action.

2020: Advocating Steep Decline in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greta Thunberg argued that the greenhouse gas emissions curve needed to start declining steeply no later than 2020 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

2020: Merkel acknowledges young activists' impact

In 2020, German Chancellor Angela Merkel recognized that young activists like Greta Thunberg had motivated her government to accelerate climate action.

2020: Publication of 'Our House Is on Fire'

In 2020, an updated version of the book "Scenes from the Heart" was released as "Our House Is on Fire: Scenes of a Family and a Planet in Crisis", with contributions from the entire Thunberg family.

March 2021: University of Winchester sculpture installation

In March 2021, the University of Winchester installed a life-sized sculpture of Greta Thunberg on its campus.

2021: Study on familiarity with Thunberg and collective action

According to a 2021 study, familiarity with Greta Thunberg increases intentions for collective action against global warming, even after accounting for overall support for climate activism.

2021: EU budget allocation for climate action

In February 2019, Jean-Claude Juncker announced that the EU would allocate every fourth euro in the next financial period from 2021 towards climate change mitigation.

November 2024: Reflection on Pro-Palestine Activism

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

2027: EU budget allocation for climate action

In February 2019, Jean-Claude Juncker announced that the EU would allocate every fourth euro in the next financial period from 2021 to 2027 towards climate change mitigation.

2030: Criticism of EU's Emission Cut Target

Greta Thunberg criticized EU's current intention to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 saying it is "not sufficient to protect the future for children growing up today".

2035: Airbus and Boeing expect air travel to grow

Sweden reported a 4% drop in domestic air travel for 2019 and an increase in rail use. The BBC says that the movement could halve the growth of global air travel, but Airbus and Boeing say that they still expect to grow at around 4% until 2035.

2050: The European Green Deal target

Greta Thunberg criticized the European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU climate neutral by 2050, saying that it "sends a strong signal that real and sufficient action is being taken when in fact it's not.