How did you become so well-known as a climate change activist?
It started by skipping school to sit in the rain outside the Swedish Parliament with a sign saying 'School Strike for Climate'. For a while, nearly no one noticed me, and those who did walked straight past. Eventually a few people joined me, and then some more. Faster than I knew it, there were hundreds of protestors, we were picked up by the Swedish media, and the rest is history.
I have heard that you have been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. How do you suffer from it?
Well, I don't think I really "suffer" from it, though I am an introvert, and I do not thrive in social settings. I actually think Asperger's is more than just a social disorder. It makes you different from the norm. Given the right circumstances, that can be a superpower.
Tell me about the other things that matter to you apart from climate justice.
I think friendship is one of the only things that really matter apart from climate justice. Friendship gives you a welcoming community and happiness, the most important components for a fulfilling life. However, it is hard for me to enjoy things in the present when the future we are working towards could not even be there.
How worried are you about critics of your activism?
I do not fret over my haters who I will not name, though most of us know who they are. They have publicised all the common criticisms that you could possibly say about a person. They are running out of insults and that is when you know you are winning.
Why did you choose to skip school for your activism on climate change?
If we do not work together to defeat this crisis, then the temperature will continue to rise and literally burning the world. there will be no future for us or the many generations to come. I see no point in an education for a future that does not exist.
Who was the first person to inspire you and what did they teach you?
The first person to inspire me was Rosa Parks, the African-American activist who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. I learned she was an introvert and I am also. She showed me how one person can make such a huge difference, and that one person could be anybody.
How do you feel about being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times and winning the young Time Person of the Year?
I feel enlightened that people have noticed my activism and it is starting to have an impact, but we are not working fast enough. The obvious decisions must be made and the world needs to stop the crisis. I will definitely not stop my work there. I will continue on with my activism until the world is saved from climate change.
How well do you think politicians are doing about climate change?
I feel the politicians are wasting time, and seem more afraid of the changes that prevent the disasters than the disasters themselves. We all need to work together to fight this and the politicians are not helping. We need to agree on goals and implement them, not muck around. I feel the politicians are avoiding the obvious decisions and slowing the world down with them.
What would you do if the Glasgow COP26 meeting failed?
I think, to an extent, it already has failed. The world leaders are not making enough agreements to keep the world's temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. However, I would do the same thing if Glasgow failed or if it did not; I would keep alerting people about climate change and showing them that everyone can make a difference.
What can we all do to help fight the climate crisis?
Treat the crisis as a crisis. For example, many of us can invest in electric cars or solar panels. If you don't have the money you could halve your amount of waste or bring your own bag to the supermarket. The world's greenhouse gas emissions would lower significantly from just that. You could even participate in one of the #FridaysforFuture strikes to show world leaders that you care about climate. There is always something you can do to help.