Greta Thunberg: What makes her voice so influential?

Greta Thunberg is a name that has attained much attention recently. A teenage girl became a global icon with her searing stare. What makes her so popular and influential? Here, we will discuss the facts and figures which have been promoting her.

Though Greta is not the first climate activist to say, “cut down carbon emission,” how her slogan reached out to everyone. The above picture portrays Greta as a rising subject with her rising flares on “Climate change.” All the actions in this universe can be justified with some acceptable reasons. Similarly, I have tried to identify some reasons behind her popularity that are discussed with the general explanation.

Age: A teenager at the age of 15 with her pluck card, made everyone listen to her voice. The deep concern on environmental declining and strong ideology to start a change from her at the teenage are appreciable. Usually, adolescent children are focused on their circumference, utmost they may think or plan about their future goals and priorities and do not pay attention to such climatic issues. In contrast, Greta started to worry about the future of our living planet and step forward by raising her voice. The signboard on her hand became a powerful slogan, which united many of them. Though Greta was not the first climate activist to say to cut down carbon consumption, she was the first of her age.

Individual: After running a century of months' experience on this earth, she had lightened up with the halo “Climate Change”. Later, she protected the seed to grow well. She was determined on her action toward climate change. Her focused attitude is identified as her uniqueness or individuality or talent. “Hard work never fails” is the phrase we can use; her case is evidence. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive, and selective mutism. Indeed, she did not allow her determination to be diminished. Her passion for nature feeds energy to raise her voice in big stands.

Principle: Every individual has their principle to set their life. Exceptionally, some principles, followed by many and the same revolutionize society. Even though her protest for climate change is not new, but her principles, actions, and questions could reach many. An example of her activities is quoted here “And then also I am vegan. And I have shop-stop. It means that you don’t buy new things, consume new things unless you absolutely have to. And just these small things I can do in my everyday life, apart from activism and highlighting the problem”. Click here to see the complete conversation in her interview on Sep 11, 2019, at the Democracy Now! Studio.

Support: Support is the basis and predominant factor to decide the future. Greta luckily had excellent family support and, later extensively, from her country (Sweden) and by society. Initially, her family suffered a lot after they heard about her decision on “climate change”. In her interview, she admitted that she has stopped flying to reduce the aviation impact on the carbon footprint, which was a trouble for her family. She was a kind of a troublemaker forcing her family to practice reducing the carbon footprint. Finally, her family members contributed to make less environmental pollution, like cut off their carbon uptake, cultivating their vegetables, and so on.

Furthermore, during the period Greta was diagnosed with several diseases; her family support brought her back to be determinant in her activism and became a successful environmental activist.      

Country: Sweden is one of the active countries working on policies and activities to reduce environmental pollution. The significant activities are such as 50% of the energy produced from renewable sources, lowest greenhouse gas emission levels among European countries, prohibition on selling plastic drink bottles, 99% of solid waste recycling, and so on. The voice of little Greta dragged the policymakers’ attention. However, she has struggled a lot to reach out with her bill regarding climate change. The decision on environmental issues, policies, and clean technology of Sweden and Greta’s protest made her become known for everyone.   

Money: Money, a simple, beautiful colorful paper or metal piece, is the powerful ruler of this world. On this issue of the reduction of environmental pollution, the whole world is investing huge money. The activist, Greta, won several awards and received scholarships, but she used them to donate for NGOs. She admitted that most of her travel and accommodation relating to the event participation are supported by her family. But so many conspiracies have spread around the world, connecting someone playing behind her. However, we are not going to describe anything regarding that. Money always comes with negative energy, so we should be smart enough to handle it safely.       

Media: Social media is a powerful tool next to money. During the initial period, Greta lacked the attention of the media and the public. In August 2018, she started the #FridaysForFuture protest and reached many members. Social media like Instagram, Facebook helped Greta to connect with colleagues and approach many others. However, social media played a massive role in the popularity of her name and slogan for climate change. Also, the same social media became a platform for many hoaxes about her activities.

World politics: Politics on cut down the environmental pollution varies according to the world development ranking and economic trend. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) implements policies and practices to control pollution. However, many shadowy figures behind the scene wish to become the superpower. In this Black & White game, anything can be possible. Greta met the world leaders because of her famous questions, but we must wait to see the changes and actions in the environmental policies.    

In the end, she started her climate change activism after the heatwave in Sweden, and she became a heatwave in the world for her powerful questions. Many reasons could lift her to fame; the outcome is significant for the world to see the future.

Please leave a comment if you know any other reason that makes her voice influential.     

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Author: Manjushri Biju

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References

• Sweden: Environmental Issues, Policies and Clean Technology
• Greta Thunberg: How one teenager became the voice of the planet