Climate activist Greta Thunberg refuses award

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has refused to accept an environmental award on the grounds that the climate movement needed people in power to “listen” to “science”.

Greta, who has autism, has brought together millions of people for her “Fridays for Future” movement. She was honoured at a Stockholm ceremony held by the Nordic Council.

Greta has been nominated for her efforts by Sweden and Norway and won the organisation’s annual environment prize. After it was announced, a representative for her told the audience that she would not accept the award or the prize sum of US $52,000.

The climate movement does not need any more awards. What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science.- Greta Thunberg, Climate change activist

She also criticised Nordic countries for not living up to their great reputation on climate issues.

Just 16 years old, Greta became famous after she started spending her Fridays outside Sweden’s parliament in August 2018, holding a sign reading “School strike for climate”.

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