London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 19, 2026

Greta Thunberg: Sometimes you need to anger people, says activist

Greta Thunberg: Sometimes you need to anger people, says activist

Greta Thunberg has defended the tactics of environmental activists who have blocked roads, saying "sometimes you need to anger people".

But the teenage campaigner, who is in Glasgow for the COP26 summit, told the BBC it was important to ensure no-one was hurt.

It comes after Insulate Britain protesters have repeatedly brought major roads to a standstill.

Asked if she wanted to be a politician herself, Ms Thunberg said: "Not yet."

The 18-year-old was surrounded by police, media and activists when she arrived for the climate change summit in Glasgow by train on Saturday evening.

She told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show people needed to demonstrate "massive public pressure" on politicians to ensure they did enough to reduce carbon emissions.

Asked about the tactics of campaigners who blocked roads, she said: "As long as no-one gets hurt then I think sometimes you need to anger some people."

The activist, who shot to fame worldwide after leading school strikes to protest against climate change, said her own movement "would never have become so big if there wasn't friction".

Ms Thunberg said it was "possible in theory" to reach an agreement in Glasgow to keep global warming below 1.5C, which scientists say will avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

"We know that change is possible, because we can look back in history and see that there have been massive changes in society that have been unprecedented," Ms Thunberg said.

"If we felt like there wasn't any hope, we wouldn't be activists."

Asked if she would seek elected office now she was 18, she said she had considered the possibility, "but no - at least not now".

"We need to reach a critical mass with people who are demanding change and right now it's more efficient to do that from the streets than from the inside.

She said if nations changed their approach from looking for "loopholes and excuses not to take action", then "we could achieve massive changes".

Even if COP26 fails to reach an agreement, she said: "There is not a point where everything is lost.

"We can always prevent things from getting worse. It's never too late to do as much as we can."

The COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow in November is seen as crucial if climate change is to be brought under control. Almost 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions, and it could lead to major changes to our everyday lives.



 Watch as Greta Thunberg says she is still hopeful the world can achieve "massive changes" to combat climate change


Comments

NWOwillfall 5 year ago
And sometimes....you NEED a basic level of education. But that doesnt count when you're a grandchild of the Pedo George Soros.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Iran Claims It Destroyed Bahrain’s Main Artificial Intelligence Center in Missile and Drone Strike
Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate Who Turned "Toxic Masculinity" Into a Brand Arrested in Miami as Britain Seeks Their Extradition
Trump Administration Pressures Banks to Restrict Financial Access for Undocumented Immigrants
Passenger Bound for Germany Refused to Sit Beside a Woman on a Plane — Then Slapped a Flight Attendant
Ukraine’s Leadership Rift Spills Into the Streets as Protesters Target Army Chief
Ukrainian Drone Barrage Kills Eight and Strikes Russian Logistics Network
Key Trends to Watch
Financial Conduct Authority Warns Cloud and Digital Risks Are Becoming a Financial Priority
Jeffrey Donaldson Appeals Sexual Abuse Conviction as Democratic Unionist Party Opens Review
Welsh Health Authorities Launch Emergency Meningitis Vaccination Programme for Students
Scottish Business Activity Falls for Third Month as Companies Face Rising Costs
Bank of England Regulators Demand Better Access to Digital Banking Services
United Kingdom Cuts Bilateral Aid to Several African Countries by Up to Ninety Per Cent
United Kingdom Introduces Tougher Deportation Rules After Rochdale Exploitation Scandal
NHS England Launches Wearable Technology Plan to Reduce Sepsis Deaths
Amazon Web Services Billing Error Sends Trillion-Dollar Invoices to British Companies
Bank of England Takes Direct Regulatory Role Over Major Global Cloud Providers
Extreme Summer Heat Drives Record Fire Risk and Rising Deaths Across Britain
United Kingdom Nationalisation of British Steel Sparks Diplomatic Dispute With China
United Kingdom Economy Shows Weak Growth Ahead of Major Autumn Budget
Andy Burnham Set to Become United Kingdom Prime Minister After Labour Leadership Victory
The Ten World Cup Finals That Defined Football History
Smartphones Are Getting More Expensive, Sales Are Collapsing, and Even Apple Admits: "Prices Will Rise"
The Monaco Bombing Has Become a Test of Ukraine’s Intelligence Accountability
Leadership Change and Strategic Rivalry Redraw the Political Map
Energy Risk, Uneven Growth and the New Geography of Global Capital
The AI Race Enters Its Infrastructure Era
Security and resilience remain long-term national priorities
Britain balances growth ambitions with public finance pressures
Regional devolution becomes a defining theme of the next Labour era
Industrial strategy returns to the centre of British economic policy
Political Instability Remains a Challenge for UK Investment Confidence
Brexit Economic Debate Continues as Public Concerns Over Long-Term Impact Remain
UK Climate Risks Rise as Met Office Warns Extreme Weather Is Becoming More Common
Housing Shortages and Regional Inequality Become Key Priorities Under Incoming Labour Leadership
National Health Service Reform Remains One of Britain’s Biggest Political Challenges
Bank of England Remains at Centre of UK Economic Debate Over Inflation and Growth
UK Economy Shows Recovery Signs but Households and Businesses Remain Under Pressure
Britain Deepens European Defence Cooperation as NATO Allies Seek Stronger Security Capabilities
United Kingdom Expands Sanctions Against Russian Cyber Networks Over Security Threats
UK Industrial Strategy Faces Test After Government Takes Control of British Steel
British Businesses Seek Policy Clarity as Andy Burnham Prepares to Lead Labour Government
Andy Burnham’s Labour Leadership Signals Major Shift Toward Regional Power and Devolution
British Steel Nationalisation Creates New UK-China Tensions Over Control of Strategic Industry
For 36 Years, He Scammed About 300 Luxury Hotels — Until He Was Caught
England's World Cup Exit Expected to Cost Hospitality and Retail £334 Million
Former ICC Prosecutor Aide Speaks Publicly About Allegations Against Karim Khan
Opposition Raises Questions Over June Heatwave Power Grid Pressures
Mastercard Explores Sale of Majority Stake in UK Payments Operator Vocalink
Boeing Forecasts Global Commercial Aircraft Fleet Will Double by 2045
×