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 MOREIs a new gambling trend driving us toward armageddon?The new relationship dealbreaker: using ChatGPT Dsquared2Dsquared2 turns up the Heated Rivalry at Milan Fashion WeekListen to Tilda Swinton, Mark Ronson and more on Jefferson Hack’s podcastOpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s plan to put AI inside our mindsWant to take a stand against ICE? Here’s how to minimise risk How to date when... you’re chasing your dreamsYoung people are leading a snail mail revivalGrok: Is it possible to escape getting ‘undressed’ by Elon Musk’s AI?Björk slams Trump, Denmark and colonialismA list of very serious pop culture predictions for 2026Our most-read sex and relationships stories of 2025Escape 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