Greta Thunberg Says No to Award, Calls for More Climate-Conscious World Leaders

(Photo : REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

Greta Thunberg turned down an environmental award, saying people listening to science is much more needed than awards.

The award she refused was set to be given at a Stockholm ceremony held by the Nordic Council, a regional body for inter-parliamentary cooperation. A representative of the 16-year-old climate activist who hailed from Sweden reported that she also refused the prize money amounting to 350,000 Danish kroner, which is around $52,000.

Although she was honored for the award, Greta wrote in her Instagram account that the world needs more politicians and people in power to "listen to the current, the best available Science".

She also criticized the Nordic countries for allowing multiple incidents that are not living up to their "great reputation" on climate change.

Greta Thunberg started to call the world's attention after she skipped school every Friday to stand outside Sweden's parliament while holding a "School strike for climate" sign. The act was then evolved to what is now known as the "Fridays for Future" movement that had inspired millions all over the world.

   

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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 Oct 29, 2019 at 12:37pm PDT

Receiving award while being arrested

Like Greta, Hollywood actress and climate activist Jane Fonda also received a prestigious award but was not able to receive it after being arrested during climate emergency protest.

Instead, footage of Fonda while in handcuffs was presented to the audience of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. "Bafta, thank you! I'm very honored," she said while being led away by a police official.

Folks, @Janefonda accepted the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award WHILE BEING ARRESTED. #Britannias pic.twitter.com/LDbZKTZWrs — BAFTA Los Angeles (@BAFTALA) October 26, 2019

Fonda, who got her breakthrough the western musical comedy Cat Ballou in 1965 which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, claimed that she got inspired by Greta Thunberg. She has been arrested twice before this one for joining the climate change protest.

The Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film, the award Fonda received, is given to "legendary individuals whose work is stamped with the indelible mark of authorship and ingenuity." Previous recipients include Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, and Meryl Streep.