I’m on the subway headed to Manhattan to meet Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist who pioneered the climate strike movement, and I’m absolutely kicking myself for forgetting my travel mug. The iced coffee I’m sipping is in a single-use plastic cup — straw and all — and here I am on my way to meet arguably the most visible climate activist in the world.

Having completed a transatlantic journey by sailboat, Greta is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly’s Climate Action Summit, another chance she’ll have to make her no-nonsense appeal to world leaders about the urgent necessity of international action on the climate crisis. She's famous for being ruthlessly frank with the global elite, so when I meet her in a midtown conference room on a recent Friday morning, I’m surprised to find a reserved young woman who speaks softly after carefully considering each question I ask.

What’s less surprising is the steadfast confidence and grave seriousness that emanates from this teenager who has given voice to an entire generation’s existential fear and energized a worldwide movement demanding everything necessary and possible to save our planet.

Photo by Ryan Pfluger

Asked about how she’s liked her visit to the States since her August 28 arrival, she praises the “really nice” people. Other highlights: keeping up her routine of unwinding with long walks by strolling through Central Park and visiting New York’s museums, including her (fitting) favorite, the American Museum of Natural History.

But she does have one note about the city that could apply to much of the United States: “You’re obsessed with air conditioning.”

A Global Sensation Tackling a Global Threat

Greta is shy and serious in person. She considers questions and gives thoughtful answers. I see this during our Friday interview and again on Monday, September 9, when she’s on stage with journalist and activist Naomi Klein at an event sponsored by The Intercept. The event spotlighted Greta in conversation with Klein, but also featured Xiuhtezcatl, Vic Barrett, and Xiye Bastida — all accomplished climate activists age 20 or under who each offered a vision of their life in 2029 were the Green New Deal to be enacted.

The line stretches down a city block to get into the auditorium at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The pew-like seating and giant halo-shaped chandelier overhead lend a vague religious overtone to the evening. While some might think these youthful climate activists are preaching to the choir, at the moment, it feels more like they are speaking gospel.