Instagram/@gretathunbergLife & Culture / NewsLife & Culture / NewsGap year’s over for Greta Thunberg – climate activist heads back to schoolThe 17-year-old school strike instigator returns after dozens of addresses, world leader talks, awards, and protestsShareLink copied ✔️August 25, 2020August 25, 2020TextAlex PetersNew York Global Climate Strike Greta Thunberg is officially back at school. The Swedish environmental activist had taken a year off to travel the world with her climate activism, studying remotely as she raised awareness around climate change, galvanised young people, and angered Donald Trump (a lot). “My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again!” the 17-year-old tweeted yesterday alongside a photograph of herself on a bike with her school bag. Thunberg has packed a lot into the past year. In mid-August she set off across the Atlantic Ocean in a zero emission sailing boat, powered by solar panels and underwater turbines. She then conducted a climate demonstration tour across America, joining protests, meeting with state lawmakers, and speaking at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York. My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again! pic.twitter.com/EKDzzOnwaI— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 24, 2020 Her efforts have seen some groundbreaking change. The “Greta effect”, as it has been dubbed, has seen an increase in online activism among young people. She also won a Right Livelihood Award (AKA the “alternative Nobel Prize”), was named TIME’s Person Of The Year, had a beetle named after her, and a poem written for her by Patti Smith for her birthday. Last month, Thunberg co-authored an open letter with other climate activists and school strikers which was sent to all EU leaders and heads of state. Figures including Billie Eilish, Leonardo DiCaprio and Björk signed the letter alongside thousands of scientists and activists. She was also awarded the €1 million (£902k) Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity which she will be donating to different organisations and projects who are working to help people affected by the climate and ecological crisis. The activist has also been vocal about coronavirus, imploring people to take it seriously and rebuking politicians for their lacklustre response to the pandemic. Speaking to CNN, Thunberg urged people to consider the “most vulnerable” who will be hit hardest by the virus, “especially in the global south, people in the poorest parts of the world, especially people living in conflict zones and refugee camps”. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORE‘It’s majorly addictive’: The rise of smutty book clubs RIMOWAGeorge Riley unpacks her favourite travel spots for RIMOWA OnMeet the creatives turning up the heat in Lagos with Burna Boy and OnWho cares about going to the moon in 2026?Date My Friend: Is pitching your friends the secret to finding love?How will the energy crisis impact you? Here’s everything you need to know‘You're better than this’: Why young men are quitting porn in drovesAI-Sexual: How is AI expanding our understanding of sexuality?This new novel injects queerness into Ireland’s hyper-masculine ganglands PenfoldsTroye Sivan invites us to his Paris Fashion Week launch eventBig Tech trial: Why the verdict against Meta and Youtube is so important This genre-bending trans novel holds a dark mirror to realityEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy