Greta Thunberg goes back to school after gap year of activism on climate change

25 August 2020, 15:34

Greta Thunberg has just completed a gap year, which she took to focus on climate change activism
Greta Thunberg has just completed a gap year, which she took to focus on climate change activism. Picture: PA

By Megan White

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg is returning to school after she took a gap year to campaign for tougher action over climate change.

The Swedish 17-year-old said on Instagram: "My gap year from school is over, and it feels so great to finally be back in school again!"

She posted it alongside a photo of herself with a schoolbag on her back and her hands resting on bicycle handles.

High school-level classes are returning this week in Sweden, but it was not clear which school Ms Thunberg was attending.

The teenager shot to fame after starting her solo protests outside Sweden's parliament in Stockholm two years ago on August 20 2018.

Students around the world soon began following her lead, staging regular large protests, and Ms Thunberg was invited to speak to political and business leaders at UN conferences and the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.

Last week, she joined other young activists for talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel regarding climate.

The coronavirus outbreak has prevented the Fridays for Future movement that Ms Thunberg inspired from holding its mass rallies in recent months, dampening its public profile.

Ms Thunberg was named Time magazine's youngest Person of the Year, and was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

French officers were pictured trying to prevent migrants attempting the Channel crossing.

French police use knives to puncture migrant boat in Dunkirk to prevent Channel crossing

Palestinian children who fled with their parents from their houses in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, gather in the backyard of an UNRWA school in Sidon, Lebanon in September 2023

UN investigators probe 14 UNRWA aid staff Israel accused over Hamas attack

Emma Stone has said she would like to be called by her real name.

‘It would be so nice’: Emma Stone reveals she wants to be called by her real name

Joe Biden

Joe Biden says he is ‘happy to debate’ Donald Trump

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington

US announces new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of £4.8bn aid package

Former US president Donald Trump appears at Manhattan Criminal Court before his trial in New York

Donald Trump’s lawyers seek to discredit evidence of prosecution’s first witness

A British man has been attacked by a shark in Tobago.

British man left fighting for life after being attacked by shark just metres from the shore at Tobago beach

Turtle Beach, Tobago

British tourist in hospital after shark attack as Tobago closes several beaches

Pope Francis

Pope to bring call for ethical AI to G7 summit in June

Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, right, receives the Olympic flame from Spyros Capralos, head of Greece’s Olympic Committee, during the flame handover ceremony at Panathenaic stadium, where th

Paris organisers receive Olympic flame at Greek venue of first modern Games

Sundar Pichai

Tech CEOs Pichai, Altman, Nadella and others join US government AI safety board

Andrew Tate at the Bucharest Tribunal in February

Romanian court orders trial can begin in case of influencer Andrew Tate

Parisians walk by the Utopie bakery in Paris

Paris crowns new king of the crusty baguette in annual bread-baking prize

Andrew Tate  and his brother Tristan will stand trial over rape & human trafficking charges in Romania

Romanian court rules trial can start for Andrew Tate on charges of human trafficking and rape

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin

US set to provide six billion dollars in long-term military aid for Ukraine

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at an industrial estate on Staffa Road in Leyton, east London

British man recruited as 'Russian spy' charged with masterminding arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses in London