These days, it can be hard to tell what’s true on the news and in the media. However, if there is one thing that has been undeniably proven by scientists to be true, it’s that climate change and global warming are both very real events, and they are both happening at this moment. 

Global warming is exactly what it sounds like. It is the increase in temperature that is causing sea levels to rise and ice caps to melt. Climate change is an unexpected and long term change in regional weather. Neither are good for our planet. Many celebrities, politicians and activists have voiced calls to action to slow the progress of climate change. However, there has been one notable voice that has recently stood out to many. That voice is from 16-year-old Greta Thunberg. 

Thunberg is a young girl from Sweden who got her political start when she began skipping school on Fridays to protest climate change outside of the Swedish parliament buildings. She calls them “Fridays for Future,” and as she gained attention, more children all over the world skipped school to protest on Fridays, uniting in her cause.

As Thunberg’s voice reached the masses, politicians such as Barack Obama voiced their support for her, and she has spoken at rallies, protests, the United Nations and in front of the U.S. Congress. She uses pure facts in her speeches to show everyone that her information is not biased or opinionated; it’s the truth.

Thunberg is also open about her mental disorder, Asperger Syndrome. She has stated that all her life she has struggled with it, causing significant difficulties when it comes to social interaction and communication. However, Thunberg says that it won’t stop her, and she does not let her disability define her. 

When Valerie Miller, a history teacher at McAuliffe Middle School, was asked for her opinion on Greta Thunberg, Miller stated, “I think she’s pretty level-headed, and I think she says stuff that makes people uncomfortable, and I think that’s a really good message.”

Miller is correct about Thunberg making people uncomfortable. She does not hold back or sugarcoat things. She has told politicians “we will be watching you” and told them that they have “stolen her dreams” with their inability to take action and put a stop to climate change.

James Thomson, another history teacher at McAuliffe, says, “I think that it’s always important for young people to search for issues greater than themselves to get involved in, and I think [Thunberg] does that.”

Despite people calling Thunberg’s cause “fake news” and people even threatening her, Greta Thunberg has triumphed in getting people to listen to her cause and make change happen, for the good of the earth. She illustrates one of her own famous sayings, “You are never too small to make a difference.”

For those interested, the following are foundations that raise awareness for and help fight against climate change and global warming:

Macarthur Foundation click here

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation click here 

Fridays For Future, inspired by Great Thunberg click here