Published 12:03 IST, October 30th 2019
Greta Thunberg rejects environmental award, says it's not needed
Swedish climate-activist Greta Thunberg on October 29, declined the environment award worth 350,000 Danish kroner, which she received from the Nordic Council.
The young Swedish climate-activist Greta Thunberg on October 29, declined an environment award worth 350,000 Danish kroner, which she received from the Nordic Council. Greta Thunberg was honoured at a ceremony held in Stockholm. She extended her gratitude to the Nordic Council through her Instagram post and said that the ‘climate movement does not need any more awards’. She again questioned the global leaders and asked them to utilise the best science to save the planet from the effects of climate change.
Greta Thunberg refuses the environmental award
Greta Thunberg emerged as the young activist who raises the concerns pertaining to climate change with her 'Fridays for Future' protests. Millions of people participated in the protests and supported her cause. Thunberg for her continuous efforts to save the planet has received several nominations in Sweden and Norway. She also won the organization’s annual environment prize. However, one of the representatives of Thunberg announced during the ceremony that she has refused to accept the prize of 350,000 Danish kroner (about $52,000 or 46,800 euro) as reported by the international media.
Thunberg confirms the news on Instagram
Greta Thunberg later confirmed the news by posting on Instagram. She wrote, “I have received the Nordic Council’s environmental award 2019. I have decided to decline this prize. I want to thank the Nordic Council for this award. It is a huge honor.” She further reflected on her reasons to refuse the prestigious award, saying “But 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.” In her post, she contemplated the situation in the Nordic countries saying, “In Sweden, we live as if we had about 4 planets according to WWF and Global Footprint Network. And roughly the same goes for the entire Nordic region.”
She asked the Nordic countries to utilise the best of science
In her Instagram post, she clearly raised her concerns about climate change. She also accepted that countries that are part of the Nordic region must lead the way to ensure a better future since they are capable of utilising the best of science. She said, “We belong to the countries that have the possibility to do the most. And yet our countries still basically do nothing. So until you start to act in accordance with what the science says is needed to limit the global temperature rise below 1,5 degrees or even 2 degrees celsius, I - and Fridays For Future in Sweden - choose not to accept the Nordic Council's environmental award..” the post was liked by more than one lakh people, and many appreciated Thunberg for her determination to fight for the cause and not settling for anything less.
(With agency inputs)
Updated 13:13 IST, October 30th 2019