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Greta Thunberg refused to accept the Nordic environmentalist prize for this very important reason



The world’s most famous young activist has given us yet another reason to respect and champion her efforts at raising awareness about the current climate crisis.

She was recently honoured by the Nordic council with an environmental award celebrating her ability to project the message and necessity to take action when it comes to preserving our environment, which she has rejected.

The prize is reportedly worth 500,000 Danish Kroner (around £57,000) and is given out annually in both Sweden and Norway.

“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.” says Thunberg in an Instagram post revealing her decision.

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I have received the Nordic Council’s environmental award 2019. I have decided to decline this prize. Here’s why: “I am currently traveling through California and therefore not able to be present with you today. I want to thank the Nordic Council for this award. It is a huge honour. 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. The Nordic countries have a great reputation around the world when it comes to climate and environmental issues. There is no lack of bragging about this. There is no lack of beautiful words. But when it comes to our actual emissions and our ecological footprints per capita – if we include our consumption, our imports as well as aviation and shipping – then it’s a whole other story. 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. In Norway for instance, the government recently gave a record number of permits to look for new oil and gas. The newly opened oil and natural gas-field, ”Johan Sverdrup” is expected to produce oil and natural gas for 50 years; oil and gas that would generate global CO2 emissions of 1,3 tonnes. The gap between what the science says is needed to limit the increase of global temperature rise to below 1,5 or even 2 degrees – and politics that run the Nordic countries is gigantic. And there are still no signs whatsoever of the changes required. The Paris Agreement, which all of the Nordic countries have signed, is based on the aspect of equity, which means that richer countries must lead the way. 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 Councils environmental award nor the prize money of 500 000 Swedish kronor. Best wishes Greta Thunberg”

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on

It can be all too easy to venerate Thunberg, however she promptly diverts our attention back to the reason she’s known. Her long term passion for progression with the climate and environment that we live in shines through even more.

Although grateful for the honour from the council, Thunberg expands on her reasoning for being unable to accept the awards after a review of the disparity between the Nordic region’s politics and their actions in oil production contributing to the overall CO2 emissions.

“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” says the climate activist.

HRH Prince Harry has been the latest public figure to support Thunberg and she’s only just getting started.

Read more on the latest news and features in activism here.





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