The Nordic Council has awarded Greta Thunberg its annual environmental prize. As well as the honour, this involves a large sum of money; approx. $52,000.
She has declined to accept it. Her response: “The climate movement does not need any more awards. What we need is for our politicians and the people in power start to listen to the current, best available science.”
I do my best to react to every person with metta: the unconditional positive regard of Carl Rogers; the message of Jesus. I’ve found it more than difficult to do this for people who personally attack this exceptional young woman. “She is an actor. She is a poor abused child who does the bidding of her handlers. She is mentally ill. She is a socialist puppet…” on and on.
I wonder how they will explain away this wonderful, ethical decision.
She is only 16, and yet intuitively, she knows the great wisdom of the sages of all time. All that matters is what you take with you when you die, and what you leave behind in the hearts of others. Everything else is Monopoly money.
