By any measure, Greta Thunberg is an extraordinary person.

In a year, she has become the face and voice of a global grassroots movement demanding action on climate change, and has inspired millions of children to go on strike from school.

In addition, she is 16 years old, and on the autism spectrum.

Interviewing her was extremely interesting. In person, she is utterly unassuming, arriving with little fanfare, dressed in casual clothes and with just a few people helping her navigate a morning of media appearances.

At first I thought she seemed a little reluctant to talk and despite having a good deal of experience in the spotlight, perhaps a bit uncomfortable.

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But this impression melted away when we got chatting on camera.

Although speaking in English, which is her second language, she was tremendously articulate and considered.

She is obviously fiercely bright and has a true command of the subject.

And as is so often the case with people who emerge as leaders, she has a talent for plain speaking, driven by an absolutist view of the issue.

Put simply, her logic is this: We are facing an existential threat and to address that threat there must be radical and far reaching change driven by the nations most responsible.

She has spoken about how being on the autism spectrum means she has a propensity to think in black and white and this underpins her implacable approach – why wouldn’t everyone be doing everything they can given the threat and the stakes?

But despite her passion and drive there is something very poignant about Greta Thunberg and the role she has taken on.

She hinted at it during the interview; that being the face of a global movement is “of course” a burden, but that like her supporters, she feels there is little alternative.

“We are just children,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to be doing this.”

She looked genuinely pained at that moment and it suddenly struck me that she really is a reluctant warrior.

After the interview we filmed as she sat with a group of activists where it all began, outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm.

Despite the setting, surrounded by supporters, she somehow seemed even more alone.

People filmed her on their phones from a respectful distance, occasionally working up the courage to approach, ask for an autograph, or shake her hand.

Greta handled it all with a grace beyond her years.

But one wonders at the toll all of this will take on a child who has been propelled to a place in the history books.

I think she has already decided to make all the requisite sacrifices, because she believes there is no other way.

Whatever you think about her views, there is something noble, and sad, about that.

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