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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Bonnie Christian

Greta Thunberg, 16, nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for climate change activism

16-year-old Greta Thunberg, founder of the 'Youth Strike for Climate' movement, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by three Norwegian lawmakers. (Picture: EPA)

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who inspired the Youth Strike for Climate movement, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The Swedish national was nominated by three Norwegian politicians after her lone school strike last September demanding action on climate change became the catalyst for a global movement.

They called her actions "a very important peace contribution".

Ms Thunberg began protesting every Friday outside Sweden's parliament following the nation's hottest summer on record.

Thousands of school students have since skipped school to take part in marches for the movement in their local towns.

16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. (REUTERS)

“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 politician Freddy André Øvstegård told Norwegian news outlet VG.

“Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace.”

Ms Thunberg tweeted she was “honoured and very grateful for this nomination,” on Thursday morning.

Mona Fagerås and Lars Haltbrekken also nominated the teen activist.

“I think we have reached a tipping point where enough scientists are telling it like it is and not being so afraid of being alarmist,” Ms Thunberg told New Scientist on Wednesday

However, she added that it had been frustrating that many people were focusing on her age rather than the campaign.

“They talk about our age, our looks and so on,” she continued. “The emissions are still rising and that is all that matters. Nothing has happened, that is crucial to remember.”

The Youngest Nobel laureate is 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her “struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”

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