Greta Thunberg: 16-year-old climate activist inspired international youth movement

Video caption, Here's why 2019 was the year of Greta Thunberg

At just 16 years old, Greta Thunberg has started an international youth movement against climate change.

The Swedish teenager first staged a "School Strike for Climate" in front of the Swedish Parliament in August last year.

She continued to gain international attention after speaking at the U.N. Climate Talks in Poland last December.

Her strike has inspired students from around the world, leading tens of thousands of students from Germany, Japan, the UK, Australia and many more to join her #FridaysforFuture demonstrations.

The walkouts were seen as a chance to build towards a global day of school strikes on 15 March.

Image source, Adam Berry / Getty Images

Image caption, Fridays for Future is an international movement of students who, instead of attending their classes, take part in demonstrations demanding action against climate change

Four years ago, she was diagnosed with Asperger's, a form of autism.

"Being different is a gift," she told the 麻豆社, "It makes me see things from outside the box. I don't easily fall for lies, I can see through things. If I would've been like everyone else, I wouldn't have started this school strike for instance."

She told Rolling Stone magazine that the first woman to inspire her was Rosa Parks. "I learned she was an introvert, and I'm also an introvert," says Greta.

Talking about Rosa Parks, Greta explained how "one person can make such a huge difference."

Greta has been missing lessons every Friday to continue protesting outside the Swedish parliament.

Image source, Lukas Schulze/Getty Images

Image caption, A large float featuring of climate activist Greta Thunberg makes its way through the annual Rose Monday Carnival parade in Dusseldorf, Germany

There's loads of ways to help the environment. Let us know what you are doing to tackle climate change in the comments below.