As a parent and nature‑lover, I find Greta Thunberg’s words both bold and comforting. They fuel our family’s passion for protecting the planet and nurture our hope, rooted in action.
Who Is Greta Thunberg?
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish climate activist who became a global icon when she was just 15 years old. In 2018, she began skipping school on Fridays to protest outside the Swedish Parliament, holding a sign that read “School Strike for Climate.”
Her solitary protest sparked the worldwide Fridays for Future movement, inspiring millions of young people to demand urgent climate action from their governments.
Known for her direct, no-nonsense speaking style, Greta has spoken to world leaders at the UN Climate Summit and other international forums, challenging them to treat the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves.
Her activism has earned her numerous awards and recognition, but more importantly, she’s shown the world that young voices can drive powerful change.
Now let’s look at my favorite Greta Thunberg quotes!
1. Turning Urgency into Action
“I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic … And then I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.”
From her speech at Davos, January 2019
This line was meant for the politicians and world leaders but it applies to all of us and it hits home hard. Every family can take actions that help turn things around for our damaged environment and wider planet. Start with my article on 10 tiny planet-saving actions you can take as a family.
2. Working Together
“We must change almost everything … The bigger your carbon footprint – the bigger your moral duty. … I want you to panic … And then I want you to act.”
From No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
Greta doesn’t mince words. Responsibility grows with our impact. This fuels our decision to bike more, reduce waste, eat plant-based, and talk openly about our moral duty as a family.
3. Action Breeds Hope
“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere.”
TEDx Talk “School strike for climate – save the world by changing the rules” – December 12, 2018
Greta’s powerful message about action over hope isn’t just words, it’s how she lives her life. From her first solo school strike outside the Swedish Parliament to sparking the global Fridays for Future movement, she consistently demonstrates that meaningful change starts with individual action.
Most recently, she has taken a stand supporting the people of Gaza, showing that her commitment to justice extends beyond climate issues to all forms of human suffering and oppression.
4. Hope in Truth and People Power
“Hope is telling the truth. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.”
Youth4Climate, Milan, 2021
Greta reminds us: real hope springs from honest conversations and walking the talk. That’s why I am passionate about how we as parents need to fully live our values and set an example to our children, for example by following a plant-based diet.
5. No Blah‑Blah, Just Doing
“Hope is not passive. Hope is not blah, blah, blah.”
Youth4Climate, Milan, 2021
We focus on doing—family litter picks, recycling and thrifting, wildlife planting, and so much more. Because hope isn’t fluffy, it’s practical.
But don’t feel that you have to be perfect. It’s not about that, it’s just about trying your best. Every little counts.
6. Framing Crisis as Opportunity
“Climate change is not only a threat, it is, above all, an opportunity to create a healthier, greener, and cleaner planet which will benefit all of us. We must seize this opportunity.“
Pre-COP26 Youth Summit speech in Milan – September 28, 2021
This quote shows a different side of Greta – instead of just warning about dangers, she’s talking about the good things that can happen. At the Pre-COP26 Youth Summit, she talked about how we can create green jobs and build a cleaner planet that helps everyone. Even our small family actions, like growing vegetables and fruits, or installing solar panels, are great opportunities. We get to work together to produce organic, fresh food that tastes incredible. We get to save money in the long run through our solar panels.
7. Humanity Isn’t Beyond Help
“Homo sapiens have not yet failed … there is still time to turn everything around.”
From No One Is Too Small To Make a Difference
Greta gives us the courage to act. It isn’t too late, especially with young brains and hands in the soil.
8. We Are Powerful
“We can still fix this. We still have everything in our own hands.”
From No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
This quote shows Greta’s most hopeful side. Even when things look really bad, she believes families like ours can still turn it around. Not by ourselves of course, but we all have a part to play.
She’s telling us that we have power in our hands, whether that’s starting a family garden, choosing to bike instead of drive, or teaching our kids to repair things instead of throwing them away. Every family decision matters – from what we eat for dinner to how we get to school.
9. Don’t Wait for Permission
“We can no longer let the people in power decide what hope is.”
Youth4Climate summit in Milan, Italy, September 28, 2021
This quote tells families that we don’t have to wait for politicians to give us permission to feel hopeful about the planet.
Instead of sitting around waiting for leaders to fix things, we can create our own hope by taking action – like starting a compost bin, or teaching our kids to form a connection with nature. Real hope comes from regular families like ours doing something every single day to help the Earth.
10. Holding Ourselves to Account
“Some people say that the climate crisis is something we have all created. But that is just another convenient lie. Because if everyone is guilty then no one is to blame.”
From No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
This quote cuts right through the excuse that “we’re all responsible” for climate change. Greta is saying that when we blame everyone equally, it lets the biggest polluters – like big companies and wealthy countries – off the hook.
She wants families to understand that while we can all help by changing our habits, some people and businesses are way more responsible than others and need to do way more to fix the problem.
11. Small Actions Matter
“But I’ve learnt that no one is too small to make a difference.”
This quote reminds us that even kids can change the world – just like Greta did when she started her school strike at age 15. It means your family doesn’t have to wait until you’re adults or have lots of money to help the planet.
Whether it’s your 5-year-old reminding everyone to turn off lights, starting a neighborhood clean-up, or growing vegetables in your backyard, every single action counts and can inspire others to do the same.
12. Bigger Footprints Demand More
“The bigger your carbon footprint—the bigger your moral duty.”
From No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference
Here’s one way I interpret this Greta Thunberg quote: If your family drives big cars, flies on vacations, or lives in a huge house, you have a bigger responsibility to make changes than someone who already lives simply. It’s about being fair – those who contribute more to the problem should work harder to be part of the solution.
13. Stop Studying, Start Doing
“Some people say I should study to become a climate scientist… But the climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions.”
TEDx Stockholm
You don’t need a lab coat. You just need a glove and a compost bin. This quote shows that we don’t need to wait for more research or new inventions to help the planet – we already know what to do.
Scientists have told us for years that we need to use less fossil fuels, eat less meat and dairy, drive less, and choose renewable energy, but world leaders keep ignoring them.
14. Panic, Honesty, Action
The people who have been unaware are now starting to wake up, and once we become aware we change. We can change and people are ready for change.
COP25 Madrid, December 2019
Our Family’s Eco‑Living Blueprint
The power to create a better future truly is in our hands. Start where you are, with what you have – whether that’s composting kitchen scraps, having a Meatless Monday, biking to school instead of driving, or simply talking to your kids about why we need to protect our planet.
Every small action your family takes matters, and when millions of families make these same choices, we create the massive change our world needs. Don’t wait for permission from politicians or perfect conditions. Begin today, because as Greta reminds us, hope comes from action, and action starts with ordinary families like yours choosing to care for the Earth.
Thank you for your incredible leadership, Greta Thunberg!
Stephanie Simmons is an Anglo-American mum of two who is passionate about all things outdoors. She loves camping, outdoor crafting, and all outdoor activities.
Steph believes in getting the kids outdoors no matter the weather!
She created Wild Bloom Families to share her passion for the outdoors with other families.
Getting in nature can transform your physical health, mental health and happiness!
