Greta Thunberg, the Swedish schoolgirl who describes herself as a “16-year-old climate activist with Asperger [syndrome]” has been nominated by three Norwegian members of the Parliament as a candidate to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize award.
“We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change, it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees,” Norwegian Socialist MP Freddy Andre Ovstegard said. “Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace,” he added.
Greta is known for inspiring an international movement to fight climate change. According to BBC, “She first staged a school strike for the climate in front of the Swedish parliament in August last year. Since then, she has been missing lessons most Fridays to stage her regular protest.” She further gained attention after speaking at the UN Climate Talks in Poland in December and at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. And her actions have inspired other students to join the #FridaysForFuture movement. “So far, there have been regular walkouts around the world, including countries likes Germany, Belgium, the UK, France, Australia, and Japan,” BBC added. On Friday, thousands of schoolchildren are expected to strike again in more than 100 countries around the world, making it the biggest strike of its kind yet.
This year, there are 301 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, out of which 223 are individuals and 78 are organizations. The prize is set to be announced in October and awarded in December in Oslo.
The current youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner is Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai, who was 17 when she received the prize.
Congratulations to these young girls who have proven themselves great leaders and catalysts of change, regardless of the prize.
[BBC]
Photo courtesy of Greta Thunberg’s Instagram account
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