Greta Thunberg: Aspergers Syndrome and Skolstrejk för klimatet

Greta Thunberg, born in 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden, became a global climate activist at the age of 15 when she began her "Skolstrejk för klimatet" (School Strike for Climate) in 2018. Initially protesting alone outside the Swedish Parliament, Thunberg quickly gained international attention. Her message—that world leaders were failing to address the climate crisis—resonated with students and adults alike, sparking the Fridays for Future movement. Thunberg’s activism grew rapidly, leading her to address institutions like the United Nations and the European Parliament, where she repeatedly urged urgent and concrete climate action (Alter).

USA Today. 2019

Thunberg’s Asperger’s syndrome, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12, has played a critical role in her activism. She has publicly referred to her condition as a “superpower” and credits it with shaping her ability to focus intensely on the climate crisis. Rather than seeing her neurodivergence as a limitation, she argues that it allows her to approach the climate problem with clarity and perseverance, unaffected by societal norms or distractions. “Being different is a gift,” she has said, emphasizing that her diagnosis has fueled her determination to challenge global leaders (Thunberg; Devaney).

Despite facing significant opposition, Thunberg’s activism has continued to grow. Her speeches, such as her powerful "How dare you!" address at the 2019 UN Climate Summit, have garnered widespread attention. Thunberg has become the youngest *Time* Person of the Year, and she has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times. Although she has not developed formal climate policies, her role in raising awareness—particularly among younger generations—has had a profound impact. This “Greta effect” has helped propel climate change to the forefront of public and political discourse globally (BBC News).

Thunberg’s Asperger’s also shapes her straightforward, unfiltered style of communication. She has noted that her neurodivergence makes it easier for her to dismiss distractions and focus on what truly matters: the climate emergency. Her ability to speak bluntly and passionately to world leaders, often holding them accountable for their inaction, has been a defining feature of her activism. In embracing her differences, Thunberg not only advocates for climate change but also challenges perceptions about autism and how it can be a strength in fighting for global change (Devaney).

Works Cited

Alter, Charlotte. "Greta Thunberg: Time’s Person of the Year 2019." *Time*, 23 Dec. 2019.

BBC News. "Greta Thunberg: Who is the Climate Activist and What Has She Achieved?" *BBC*, 9 May 2024.

Devaney, Tim. "Greta Thunberg: Asperger’s Syndrome is My ‘Superpower.’" *The Hill*, 11 Sept. 2019.

Thunberg, Greta. "You Are Failing Us." Speech, United Nations Climate Change Conference, Madrid, 2019.