The voice of a generation, Greta Thunberg's efforts in spreading awareness and encouraging others to join the fight against climate change have been unparalleled – but what's happened since she began her school strikes? We take a look back
Former United States President Barack Obama's tweet in 2014 read: "We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it."
With numerous wildfires, floods, and scorching heatwaves, where temperatures rise almost to the unbearable figures, there's no denying that, especially in recent years, nature has given us plenty of warning signs of what's to come unless actions to mitigate climate change are taken. And to ensure a better future for our planet, each of us has to do our bit – the power of the individual is more robust than you might think.
In fact, sometimes, one passionate individual can be all it takes to initiate a greater positive change. When it comes to fighting for climate justice, Greta Thunberg sets a stellar example. "The more I have spent time talking to people, travelling, reading and experiencing, the more convinced I am that changes will come from the bottom up… It needs to come through awareness and from people realising that we are in an emergency and putting pressure on people in power," the 19-year-old activist told us in our very first magazine issue.
Greta Thunberg in Vogue Scandinavia's inaugural August/September 2021 issue . Photo: Alexandrov Klum
In 2018, the then 15-year-old Thunberg commenced her first school strikes for climate, where she was quickly joined by other passionate teens. Today, the strikes have developed into a worldwide movement known as Fridays For Future. With her relentless determination to fight for climate justice and get people to take action, Thunberg has influenced countless people, from grassroots to those with the maximum power. But how much has changed since Thunberg took the stand?
"When we talk about climate actions we must acknowledge that they consist of procedures done on different levels, by different groups," explains Eeva Furman, director of the Environmental Policy Centre at the Finnish Environment Institute. "On the one hand, we have climate actions that are political and on the other, we have voluntary actions done by different organisations, businesses and individuals. These are all separate but linked to each other, and to achieve a change, progress on all of these aspects is vital."
Young activists at Fridays For Future in London. Photo: Getty
In her captivating speeches, Thunberg often stresses the influence of politics and how our power as democratic citizens comes into play on our right to vote and puts pressure on those in power. According to Furman that's where one of Thunberg's most significant impacts can be seen. "I was at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York in 2019 and I heard Thunberg's speech – it had a huge impact on all of us. In fact, many of us cried during the speech, it was so empowering."
The now-famous speech urged world leaders to take action immediately, as Thunberg bluntly stated: "The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you," explains Furman.
The most important political global processes established in mitigating climate change are the Paris Agreement and yearly Climate Change Conferences (COPs), led by the United Nations. Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement aims to enhance the worldwide response to climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C. It also aims to strengthen countries' capability to cope with the impacts of the climate emergency and support them in their efforts to fight it.
"...the progress isn't happening at the expected pace, so the change is slower than anticipated. What we are still lacking is all of the parties - politics, businesses, organisations, individuals - as well as countries working together,” says Furman.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Glasgow during the COP26 meeting in November 2021. Photo: Getty
Markku Ollikainen, the Chair of the Finnish Climate Panel, agrees and recalls how at the recent COP26, scientists warned that unless more aggressive measures were taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions and thus slow down global warming, the Paris Agreement's goal wouldn't be reached. "Essentially, the progress in emission reductions is dependent on each country; however Europe, for example, is headed towards a positive direction," he says. "What's also good news is that we're constantly developing technology that will replace fossil fuels, and the transition to the hydrogen economy is likely to happen faster."
Although politics may hold the most significant power in putting words into actions that will make a difference, both Ollikainen and Furman agree that environmental activism has been key to piling on the pressure in the first place.
As Furman explains: "the example Thunberg and her followers set for fellow young people is invaluable. To hear the words come out of her mouth – rather than reading something from the pages of a newspaper, for instance – gets young people to really act on the climate crisis."
And what does our planet's future look like, according to the experts? Different than what we've been used to, but hopeful. "If we manage to carry out the current climate actions and move forward on initiatives, the future can be very positive," Furman says, "we have to adapt and maintain an optimistic outlook, because the world will be a different place in the future, and we just have to accept that."