Greta Thunberg

"How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words." Addressing the UN in September 2019

Who is Greta Thunberg?

What do people say about her?

Thunberg has received support from climate activists, scientists and public figures.

Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough told her she has achieved things many others have failed to do, adding: "You have aroused the world. I'm very grateful to you."

Prince Harry praised Thunberg's campaigning, saying "every country, every community, every school, every friendship group, every family needs their own Greta".

Alok Sharma, the president of the COP26 summit, has said that Thunberg's UN speech in 2019 had made him feel "really uncomfortable" because it held up a "mirror" to his generation.

But not all politicians have been as complimentary.

Donald Trump tweeted that she should "work on her anger management problem" while Russian President Vladimir Putin described her as a "kind but poorly informed teenager".

But despite the negative comments from these powerful figures, Greta remains unphased and lazer-focused.

For unapologetically telling the truth to power.

Greta speaks unapologetically and truthfully about the threat of climate change. Too many people moderate what they say, and Greta’s ability to state the science and its implications without spin regardless of whether she’s speaking to another 16-year-old or a world leader is exactly what we need.

Being young and having such a simple way of protesting, yet making the difference that she has, makes every young person believe that they have power. She’s challenged young people to join the frontlines and have a say in the affairs of their future. The new generation needs to know they’re important right now as inheritors of inaction.

Her impact has been indelible and inspirational for me since she first started her protest. She has inspired many school children to pay attention to climate and environmental issues and the climate strike movement shows the power that lies in each and every one of us when we relentlessly dedicate ourselves to positive change. In a time of competing headlines, being able to draw attention to an issue of such importance it is a critical part of creating unstoppable momentum in confronting the climate crisis we all face.