Is this really surprising?

Yes, but Greta was arguably a stronger speaker and personality because she was able to hold and influence people so much, hence the attention.

Ok. For the thousandth time... it bothers me that people just see her as dramat3, too angry, too anxious. SHE IS IN THE AUTISM SPECTRUM!!! OF COURSE SHE SEEMS LIKE THAT TOO YOU!!!! .
on the other hand, yes he should be way more famous. Both kids are good. They do what they can. He has other abilities so great for him.

We need both.
They need to meet and do that shit together

Problem is that cleaning the ocean only solves one problem. I mean good job to the boy, but plastic is not the only thing we're seriously struggling with.
Greta doesn't offer practical solutions, she's claiming them from the people who think anf who say they run the world. Her Thesis isn't thoroughly wrong, as everything pro-economy has proven to be anti-environment in the long run.

one will cost government money the other makes government money shocking which one the media puts the spot light on.

Well sure, but this is more or less the situation with activists and people who actually do useful things in general.