On October 20, Greta Thunberg posted a picture of herself with other activists in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza. The post drew immediate backlash, accusations of antisemitism, and direct criticism from Israel. The post shows a continued deviation from her environmental activism, and could adversely impact her ability to successfully advocate in the future.
In 2018, at the age of 15, Thunberg organized a school strike for climate outside the Swedish parliament. The media coverage from the strike instantly propelled her onto the international stage. In 2019, she spoke to the European Parliament, then sailed across the Atlantic to address the United Nations. Since then, she has been a permanent fixture in the climate change movement, although her role has been more flash than substance.
Thunberg was the fearful and angry youth, impassioned about climate change and determined to motivate leaders to make changes. She was an effective voice that resonated with youth and environmental activists. However, she wasn’t an expert. She didn’t draft policy or propose results. She pulled the fire alarm and raised awareness.
The BBC recently summarized her influence best. “Although Greta Thunberg has not devised any specific environmental strategies, she is credited with raising public awareness of climate change across the world, especially amongst young people.”
Thunberg’s tactics and demeanor, that would typically be frowned upon, were not only tolerated, but encouraged because they aligned with the environmentalist movement. However, that is a limited role.
While mostly associated with the general environmental movement, Thunberg has been focused on climate justice, a type of environmentalism that ties climate change with social and racial issues. Some say they are the hardliners of the environmental movement, absolutists who often run afoul of the mainstream by forcing climate change into unrelated political debates. Others will argue they take a wholistic approach to climate change, looking at the overall impacts of climate policy.
It is under the climate justice umbrella that she has continued to stray beyond environmental concerns into the geopolitical, some with no clear environmental ties, with mixed results.
In 2021, Thunberg tweeted a “toolkit” for farmers protesting regulations in India. Counter-protesters burned effigies of Thunberg, and she was accused of being involved in an “international criminal conspiracy against India.” The Indian government arrested Thunberg ally Dasha Ravi, although she was eventually released.
In February 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Thunberg posted and protested in support of Ukrainians. As the world community is generally aligned in their support of Ukraine, her support was welcomed. In June 2023, she called for Russia to be punished for ecocide, or the crime of mass destruction of the environment.
Thunberg’s post supporting Palestinians was not as welcome, and quite controversial for a number of elements. The post featured Thunberg holding a sign that said, “Stand With Gaza.” She was joined by three other youth holding signs that stated, “Free Palestine”, “Climate Justice Now!”, and “This Jew Stands With Palestine.” The picture also featured a blue octopus stuffed animal.
The blue octopus drew some of the harshest rebukes, as many believed it was a direct reference to a antisemitic symbol found in early 20th century political cartoons. The blue octopus was intended to imply that the Jewish people are exerting influence in all areas of society. Commentators immediately noted the symbolism of the stuffed animal. Thunberg quicky removed the original image, and replaced it with a version without the blue octopus. Thunberg apologized, saying she didn’t realize the symbolism, however that did not pacify her critics.
Backlash was swift and strong. Israel retweeted say “Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets which have BUTCHERED innocent Israelis.” Thunberg continued to add amended statements over the next few days, backtracking and clarifying her stance, but it did little to help. Outrage has continued to grow. Israel pulled Thunberg from school curriculum, and she was denounced by some climate activists.
The lasting effects of this tweet may come to an end within a few weeks, as it did with the India conflict. However, it raises a larger question as to the impact of Thunberg’s politics on the environmental movement.
Despite the belief of the environmental movement that climate change is just science, climate change policies are a matter of politics. Successful movement in the area has been enabled by the convincing of moderates and conservatives that climate change policies can be enacted in a manner that do not run afoul of their other political beliefs. That there is a balance between advancing pro-business initiatives and protecting the environment. That line has been difficult, and momentum is teetering towards a significant pushback globally, most notably in the area of environmental, social, and governance. It will take a strong, moderate voice to overcome those concerns.
For now, Thunberg is the face of the environmental movement. She owes a duty to no one and is free to express her opinions as she wishes. However, her sharing controversial political opinions that only serve to alienate entire demographics, while not advancing an environmental cause, only weakens her ability to advocate and harms the overall climate change movement. Thunberg has expressed a desire to no longer be the face of the environmental cause, perhaps it is time to grant her wish.
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