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​Greta Thunberg Wins £83,000 'Alternative Nobel Prize’ For Climate Change Work

​Greta Thunberg Wins £83,000 'Alternative Nobel Prize’ For Climate Change Work

She was listed today as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, which is widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize'

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Environmentalist badass Greta Thunberg has won herself an 'Alternative Nobel Prize' for her work in rallying the world to tackle climate change, having scooped herself more than £80,000 in the process.

The teenage activist was listed today as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, which is widely known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize' and celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

According to Reuters, the four laureates will each receive a cash award of one million Swedish krona (£83,000/$103,000).

Along with Thunberg, other winners announced toady were Aminatou Haidar (Western Sahara), Guo Jianmei (China) and Davi Kopenawa/Hutukara Yanomami Association (Brazil).

Each of the winners have been honoured for different reasons, but 16-year-old Thunberg is being recognised for 'inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts', with a statement from the Right Livelihood Foundation explaining: "Thunberg is the powerful voice of a young generation that will have to bear the consequences of today's political failure to stop climate change.

"Her resolve to not put up with the looming climate disaster has inspired millions of peers to also raise their voices and demand immediate climate action."

Thunberg at the UN Climate Action Summit this week.
PA

Commenting on her win, Thunberg said she shared the award with the many people and adults who have joined her in her environmental crusade.

She said: "I'm deeply grateful for being one of the recipients of this great honour.

But of course, whenever I receive an award, it is not me who is the winner. I am part of a global movement of school children, youth and adults of all ages who have decided to act in defence of our living planet. I share this award with them.

"The Right Livelihood Award is a huge recognition for Fridays For Future and the climate strike movement. Thank you so very much!"

While Thunberg has been in the headlines for some time now thanks to her war on climate change, this week she's been praised widely for ripping into international delegates at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York.

Scolding world leaders, Thunberg told the room: "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 for hope. How dare you.

"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.

"There will not be any solution or plans in line with these figures here today because these numbers are too uncomfortable and you're not mature enough to tell it like it is.

"You are failing us. The young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say, we will never forgive you.

"Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up and change is coming whether you like it or not."

Congratulations, Greta. Keep fighting the good fight!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Greta Thunberg, World News, News