The father of 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Svante Thunberg, told how his daughter began to fight for the environment. He noted that since then she has become much happier.

He said this during an interview on the BBC radio station on Monday, December 30, during a special New Year’s program, which was led and edited by Greta herself.

Svante Tunberg said her daughter had been fighting depression for three or four years - before she began a strike in support of climate change.. The activist’s father said that she stopped talking and went to school, and then began to refuse food. According to Svante, it was a real “nightmare for parents”.

Grete was later diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.. Svante noted that he and his wife began to spend more time with their daughter and began to discuss and study climate issues.. He said that he even became a vegetarian to support his daughter. Her mother, in turn, refused to fly on a plane. Svante Tunberg also accompanied Greta on her travels to New York and Madrid at UN climate summits.. They got there on a sailboat to do as little harm to the environment as possible..

Svante noted that engaging in climate issues really helped Greta and “gave a lot of energy”, which allowed her to cope with a difficult life period.. According to the father, his 16-year-old daughter became much happier and constantly smiles.. However, Svante is worried about her because of all the haters that the schoolgirl has to face.. However, Greta herself copes with criticism..

“Honestly, I don’t know how she does it, but she laughs most of the time. She finds it fun, ”her father explained..