Greta Thunberg wins Sweden’s 'alternative Nobel Prize'

Johannes EISELE / AFP

Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has won the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes called "alternative Nobel Prize".

In a statement, the Right Livelihood Foundation said Thunberg won the award "for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts". 

"Her resolve to not put up with the looming climate disaster has inspired millions of peers to also raise their voices and demand immediate climate action," it added.

The 16-year-old activist denounced world leaders on Monday for failing to tackle climate change ahead of a UN summit in New York.

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