16-year-old Greta Thunberg named 2019 TIME 'Person of the Year'
Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, famous for calling out world leaders taking climate change seriously, was announced as TIME magazine's 2019 'Person of the Year' on Wednesday. With this development, the 16-year-old activist has become the youngest person to earn the title since TIME first started naming 'Person of the Year' in 1927. Here are more details.
Thunberg biggest voice on Earth's biggest issue: TIME editor
TIME editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal told Today, "She became the biggest voice on the biggest issue facing the planet this year, coming from essentially nowhere to lead a worldwide movement." Thunberg was chosen from five shortlisted candidates, which included US President Donald Trump, the anonymous CIA whistleblower who triggered Trump's impeachment inquiry, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Here are other candidates considered for the title
Other candidates who were considered for 'TIME Person of the Year' were Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, China President Xi Jinping, US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, President Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
'She's really been a key driver this year'
Saying that Thunberg embodies "youth activism," Felsenthal said, "Her rise in influence has been really extraordinary. She was a solo protester with a hand-painted sign 14 months ago." Felsenthal added, "She's now led millions of people around the world, 150 countries, to act on behalf of the planet, and she's really been a key driver this year taking this issue from backstage to center."
Thunberg represents generational shift of youngsters demanding change: Felsenthal
Felsenthal further said, "(Thunberg) also represents a broader generational shift in the culture that we're seeing from the campuses of Hong Kong to the protests in Chile to Parkland, Florida, where the students marched against gun violence, where young people are demanding change urgently."
Thunberg kicked-off 'School Strikes for Climate' globally
Thunberg is recognized for sparking a global student-led strike, which gained mileage over two years since she herself started protesting outside the Swedish Parliament with the sign "skolstrejk för klimatet" (School Strike for the Climate). In March, she was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize (she did not win). She made headlines with her fiery speech during September's United Nations Climate Action Summit.
We're at the beginning of mass extinction: Thunberg at Summit
During the Summit, an impassioned Thunberg said, "Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of mass extinction," berating world leaders for having stolen her childhood and leaving the challenge of climate change to children. Thunberg notably sailed from England to New York for the Summit to cut her carbon footprint. Her speech went viral and drew a mocking reaction from Trump.
TIME announced honors in four other categories
Instead of naming runner-ups, this year, TIME announced 'Persons of the Year' in four different categories: Athlete of the Year: US women's soccer team Entertainer of the Year: Grammy-nominated singer Lizzo Businessperson of the Year: Disney CEO Bob Iger Guardians of the Year: "Public Servants" involved in impeachment proceedings including the CIA whistleblower, Marie Yovanovitch, Bill Taylor, Fiona Hill, and Alexander Vindman.
