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Greta Thunberg Is Bookies' Favourite To Win The Nobel Peace Prize

Greta Thunberg Is Bookies' Favourite To Win The Nobel Peace Prize

The young environmentalist has become an iconic figure in the battle against climate change

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Greta Thunberg is being hotly tipped to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The young environmental campaigner is now the bookies' favourite to pick up the prestigious award next week, with Ladbrokes citing odds of 4/6 for her to win - ahead of national treasure David Attenborough and Pope Francis.

According to the bookmaker, the 16-year-old is ahead of the rest of the pack after her rousing speech at the UN conference last month which led to her being praised by many.

During the emotional address, Thunberg condemned world leaders for not doing enough to combat climate change and protect the planet.

She said: "This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you?

The 16-year-old gave a rousing speech at a UN conference last month.
PA

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing.

"And if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you."

Over the past year, Thunberg has become an iconic figure of the fight against climate change, with millions inspired by her weekly protests outside the Swedish parliament a year ago.

Her message encouraged millions of people around the world to march on the streets last month and demand that governments take action before it is too late.

However, not everyone took her message or speech as well as others, with some of the world's most powerful leaders hitting out at the campaigner for not understanding how 'complex' the world really is.

Only yesterday, Russian president Vladimir Putin said she was being 'used'.

Thunberg has been praised for her stand against climate change which began with strikes outside the Swedish Parliament last year.
PA

Chairing a session called Energy Partnership for Sustainable Growth, he said: "I may disappoint you but I don't share the common excitement about the speech by Greta Thunberg.

"No one has explained to Greta that the modern world is complex and different and... people in Africa or in many Asian countries want to live at the same wealth level as in Sweden.

"Go and explain to developing countries why they should continue living in poverty and not be like Sweden."

He added: "But when someone is using children and teenagers in personal interests, it only deserves to be condemned.

Her emotional speech at the UN has led bookies to tip her for the Nobel Peace Prize.
PA

"I'm sure that Greta is a kind and very sincere girl. But adults must do everything not to bring teenagers and children into some extreme situations."

Putin isn't the first world leader to slate the young campaigner for her words. Donald Trump mocked her while Canadian Member of Parliament Maxime Bernier claimed she was alarmist and mentally unstable.

But Thunberg hasn't taken the criticism lying down and has said she believes the fact leaders are making light of the situation, adding that politicians poking fun at children showed that her message had become 'too loud to handle'.

The full list of Ladbrokes' runners and rider are as follows - Greta Thunberg (4/6), Abiy Ahmed (4/1), Raoni Metuktire (6/1), Jacinda Ardern (8/1), Reporters Without Borders (12/1), UNHCR (12/1), Control Arms Coalition (20/1), David Attenborough (20/1), Edward Snowden (20/1), Pope Francis (20/1), International Rescue Committee (20/1).

The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is announced on 11 October.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Environment, Greta Thunberg, World News, climate change, Interesting, Donald Trump, vladimir putin