She stood in front of the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm with a sign saying “Skolstrejk För Klimatet” [School Strike for Climate] and handing out flyers to passing adults.

On Aug. 28, she arrived in Coney Island after sailing across the Atlantic ocean on the zero-emission boat Malizia. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and has spoken to a variety of world leaders. She is 16.

She is not a journalist, politician or scientist.

Greta Thunberg is a climate activist and the leader of #FridaysForFuture. A hashtag that is the driving force to get teens involved in protesting for climate awareness.

Allow me to explain.

As a high school student I am part of the target group she is aiming at. And I stand in-between the many opinions about her initiative. The right and wrong way of acting against climate change is constantly attacked from every possible angle.

Currently, around 176 countries are participating in over 5,000 individual Fridays for Future strikes. Alone in the near surroundings of Oak Park, there are three current weekly strikes: Ojai, West Hills and Woodland Hills.

Thunberg’s goal: Raise attention to the lack of action on the climate crisis and get the Swedish Parliament (and now governments around the world) to help keep the goals of the Paris Agreement in focus.

The Paris Agreement is an official accord created in 2015 to battle the negative effects of climate change. With the main goal being to limit the increase of global temperature change to two degrees celcius, the participating countries have agreed to make an effort to limit their greenhouse gas emissions.

And this is a big deal, 197 countries have signed the agreement.  With these many leaders involved, serious change in this issue could be evoked. 

But I believe that in the world of politics, words and intentions can stay theoretical.

Words and no actions. To me, it seems as if Thunberg is an activist who strives to enforce the action part of the deal.

The concept of #FridaysForFuture is simple: raising awareness for the climate crisis needing change. Protesting occurs in front of city halls, signs are brought and many photos are taken. Posted on social media, these very photos bring awareness to individuals, a platform for Thunberg and pressure to politicians and companies.

So far so good. I am happy that people the same age as me are backing such a meaningful initiative. The protests are peaceful and bring awareness to the cause. I find this to be a positive approach to creating change.

What’s the catch?

In Europe, there has been a wide discussion about teens skipping school to strike. When I was in Germany over the summer, I heard a lot of mixed views on the rights and wrongs of this movement. One friend’s parents said she has to finish school before she can make a change. Other friends were encouraged to participate by their parents.

I think the bottom line to this protest is to do it during school hours. This is what gives it the needed pressure to evoke change.

I believe the world has a huge environmental problem and this change is needed. The temperature has risen. The Amazon rainforest is on fire, trash mountains are acquiring altitude at an alarming rate and glaciers are no longer the sublime white giants they once were. This is scary to me and I am not a fan of looking away in ignorance.

Unlike many politicians, in some speeches, I filter out denial. To me, President Donald Trump sounds like he is opposing any actions for stopping climate change. June 1, 2017 marked the end of U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement.

In Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s statements, I hear opposition to helping the environment. He has loosened the country’s environmental protection regulations. In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons why the Brazilian Amazon is in the horrendous state it finds itself in.

Don’t get me wrong: Not all of us are suited to be Greta Thunbergs. Sure, sailing aboard Malizia is a more eco-friendly way of traveling. It is a way of setting a positive example. In reality, traveling in this manner is simply not an option for the average person, be it because of cost or logistical problems.

For some, this protest means standing up for something. For others, it’s a way to get out of class — a way to pretend to care and follow the group. To me, it is apparent that the initiative is real, yet still, much of the following is simply gutless protest. Remember, #FridaysForFuture is controversy. Controversy sparks discussion — discussion that is bitterly needed in this cause.

The reality of climate change is upsetting to me. However, I applaud those who have taken the initiative to go out and protest. Even if this means skipping school.