Greta Thunberg

It started with three words handprinted on a sign: Skolstrejk för Klimatet. Greta Thunberg announced she was staying home from school to demand action on climate change from her government—and encouraged fellow young people to do the same.

Two years on, the 17-year-old Swedish activist’s initiative has become the linchpin of a global, youth-led movement to save the planet. 

“Change is coming, whether you like it or not,” the Nobel Peace Prize nominee told world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019. “The eyes of all future generations are upon you, and if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you.” 

Her movement is having a direct influence on other project leaders around the world.

“Greta Thunberg has so much courage,” says Nicolás Liso Fabbri, PMP, portfolio project manager, Mainstream Renewable Power, Santiago, Chile. “She’s an example to the millions of young people who will be responsible for getting older generations to listen to the needs of the Earth and for teaching future generations the importance of mitigating climate change.”