Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, by three Norwegian MPs.
“We have nominated Greta because the threat of climate chance can be one of the biggest contributors to war and conflict. Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace,” said Freddy André Øvstegård, of the Norwegian Socialist Left Party to the newspaper Verdens Gang.
Any national lawmaker can nominate somebody for the Nobel Peace Prize. So far, there are 304 individuals or organisations that have been nominated for the 2019 prize, according to the official Nobel Peace Prize website.
Commenting on the nomination, Greta Thunberg told the tabloid Aftonbladet that she feels “very honoured” to be nominated for such a big prize. “It feels incredible and a little strange” she said.
Thunberg began her “School Strike for Climate” in August 2018, where she camped outside parliament demanding faster action on climate change. Every Friday she has skipped school to continue her protest, with her familiar homemade banner, “skolstrejk för klimatet” (school strike for climate).
Since last autumn, a movement has spread around Europe and the world, with students skipping school to join the protest. On Friday, thousands of students are expected to demonstrate in more than 100 countries.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Indigenous scientist from Northern Canada to share climate change insights at embassies in Europe, CBC News
Finland: Teen protesters in Helsinki demand climate action, Yle News
Norway: Urgent action needed to protect Arctic Ocean, WWF says, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia’s quest for Arctic resources unhindered by climate crisis, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Growing climate protest movement is “saying no to human extinction”, Radio Sweden
United States: Industry launches campaign to free oceans from plastic… how serious is it?, Alaska Public Media
