When it comes to addressing the climate problem, Greta Thunberg is no stranger to speaking up on crucial subjects. The 18-year-old activist also shared some personal information in a recent interview with The Guardian, particularly on her autism diagnosis, which she has previously referred to as her “Superpower.”
Who Is Greta Thunberg?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental campaigner. At the age of 15, she started promoting the prevention of climate change. She has spoken at the Climate Action Summit and the United Nations Climate Change Conference, and as a key voice in the cause, she has encouraged countless global school climate strikes.
In addition to receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Thunberg has received other awards for her work.
Greta admitted to Simon Hattenstone that learning she has autism has been a huge source of relief for her. She said, “I didn’t realize that I had autism when I felt the most depressed.” “I just realized that I don’t want to be in this situation. For me, the prognosis was essentially all favorable. It enabled me to obtain the support I required and gave me insight into my motivations.
Greta Thunberg also considered her earlier statement that having Asperger’s syndrome is like having a superpower, which she made in an Instagram post in 2019. I have Asperger’s syndrome, which means I occasionally behave differently from the norm, she said at the time. And being unique may be a superpower in the appropriate situations.
What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?
A disorder of development is Asperger syndrome. It makes it challenging for those who have it to interact and communicate. Constricted and repetitive patterns are another feature of the syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome is currently thought to fall within the umbrella term of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What Signs Are Present?
According to WebMD, people with this illness typically avoid eye contact and may come across as awkward in social situations. The minimum emotional display is also considered to be a sign. They also frequently engage in an intense conversations about a certain subject.
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All About Greta Thunberg
Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg, a Swedish environmentalist born on January 3, 2003, rose to prominence when she urged world leaders to take rapid action to combat climate change.
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Greta has made her mark with outstanding speeches advancing her cause for climate change, from speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) in 2018 and the World Economic Forum in 2019 to addressing several parliaments like the British, European, and French. She is also one of the few who has met Pope Francis, and during their brief encounter, the latter is said to have expressed gratitude and given her encouragement to go on.
Greta elaborated on that notion in her interview with The Guardian, describing how her autism has aided her in her struggle for climate justice. She said, “Many people with autism have a unique hobby that they can sit and do for a very long time without getting bored.
It can be quite helpful at times. Autism can be a hindrance, but if the appropriate conditions are fulfilled, the right people are present, you receive the necessary accommodations, and you feel like you have a purpose, it can also be something you can use for good. And I believe I’m already doing it.
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After taking a gap year and some time off because of the pandemic, the young activist has just started going back to school. Greta recently told Trevor Noah that she is sick of talking about the climate problem, but it is still on her mind.
She noted that the pandemic demonstrated the urgency of responding to a crisis. Just consider the [COVID] epidemic, for example. It seemed like we could just suddenly generate a lot of money. Waiting and dealing with the effects of the climate crisis later is significantly more expensive than taking action now.
Greta said in an interview with The Guardian that she has found support among other climate campaigners, especially among younger activists who also have autism. Greta stated that “So many people in the Fridays for Future movement are like me,” calling her fellow activists “Open and accepting.”
Greta stated earlier this month during an appearance on The Daily Show that the climate crisis “Hasn’t been treated as an emergency and is already taking lives and livelihoods for so many people around the world, so it’s only going to get worse.”
She continued, “I know lots of people who have been depressed, and then they have joined the climate movement or Fridays for Future and have found a purpose in life, and they have found friendship and a community that they are welcome in.” She then discussed the effects of working with like-minded individuals on her mental health.
