Teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg has refused to accept the 2019 Nordic council Environment prize. A representative for Greta Thunberg told the audience she would not be accepting the award or the prize money.
Thunberg took to Instagram to thank the Nordic Council and acknowledged that it was a huge honor. She went on to say that she would not be accepting the award, however, as “the climate movement does not need any more awards.”
According to he post, ‘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 teenager has been vocal in her efforts to bring attention to climate change. She has rallied millions to her Fridays for Future movement. Her work has received recognition throughout the world in form of a string of awards. She added her sincere hope that those in power would heed the warnings of climate scientists.
“What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science.”
Greta Thunberg Calls for Action
While praising Norway for its efforts in fighting climate change, Greta Thunberg emphasized the need to limit emissions and called for more climate preservation efforts.
“The Nordic countries have a great reputation around the world when it comes to climate and environmental issues,” she said in a written message on Instagram. “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.”
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