Greta Thunberg a 'time traveler'? Doppelganger in photo from 19th century Yukon gold rush sparks wild theories
Social media appears to be convinced that the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is a time traveler sent to save humanity amidst the unfolding climate crisis.
The outlandish theory was proposed by Twitter users after an 1898 image of a girl bearing a striking resemblance to 16-year-old Thunberg went viral last week.
The image shows show three children working at a goldmine in Canada’s Yukon territory with one young Klondike eerily resembling the Swedish activist with the same long braided hair and an intense gaze.
The 1898 picture was reportedly part of a collection by the documentary photographer Eric A. Hegg, according to the Guardian.
The Swedish American photographer, near the end of the 19th century, captured some of the most iconic images of people hoping to make a fortune.
Hegg’s collection was donated to the University of Washington over 50 years ago.
Shortly after the picture began circulating on social media, multiple Twitter users theorized that the 16-year-old activist, who is famous for her fight against climate strikes, is actually a time traveler.
Writer Jack Strange tweeted, saying: "To those saying ‘How can she be in the past if she’s from the future?!?’ Obviously, as a time traveler, she can travel to ANY time period. She obviously tried to go back 120 years, didn’t work, and now she’s here. Obviously!"
"120-year-old photo sparks theories that climate activist & environmental heroine, @GretaThunberg , is, in fact, a 'time-travel' who has traveled thru time to save our planet! Wishing her all the best and success in her mission to save the Earth. We can use the help we can get!" one person wrote.
"It is safe to say that @GretaThunberg must have used a solar-powered time machine to time travel," joked another.
Thunberg, who rose to popularity through her weekly Friday protest outside the Swedish parliament a year ago, inspired millions of people across the world to take to the streets in an effort to demand an emergency action on climate change from their governments.
At the UN conference earlier this year, Thunberg addressed world leaders, slamming them for their inaction against climate change.
"This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words," the teenager said.