The 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, well-known for her weekly climate strikes and actions as an environmental advocate, was awarded the Nordic Council Environmental Prize on Oct. 29. She declined this major environmental award. 

Thunberg has been advocating for politicians to notice the real problem climate change for a year now. Her touching and emotional speeches and her ways of protests have definitely caused an increase of awareness on this topic. 

Every year, the Nordic Council presents five awards: literature, youth, film, music, and the environment. Each of the prizes, according to NBC News, are worth 350,000 Danish kroner, which is around US$52,000. The environmental prize is the oldest award of all, as well as the most important and respected prize in the Nordic Region. This award is designed for people who display “exemplary efforts to integrate respect for nature and the environment,” according to the Nordic Council.

As she was traveling in California, two activists from FridayForFuture, a movement started by Thunberg, spoke on her behalf and delivered her message through a broadcasted live stream in Sweden.

Although she is greatly honored, Thunberg believed that “the climate movement does not need any more awards.” Instead, Thunberg stated once again that politicians and other people in powerful positions should “start to listen to the current, best available science.” With her strong opinions and point of view, Thunberg demands action on global warming right now.

In fact, FridaysForFuture movements obtain this purpose. These school strikes are a way to push politicians so they could take several steps towards the serious issue. Initially started with Thunberg herself, the strike has now scheduled over 2,500 cases and in 150 different countries. This will undoubtedly become the greatest movement of climate change by far. 

“Change is coming, whether you like it or not,” said Thunberg in her speech at the UN. According to scientists from all over the world, climate change is a real thing-a serious one. No matter how hard politicians try to cover it up, there is no way to deny that our Earth isn’t getting warmer and warmer by day.    

Photo courtesy of CBC.BB