UK university erects shrine to climate change activist Greta Thunberg

Winchester University in Hampshire, England, will mount a statue of climate activist Greta Thunberg. 

Speaking to the Hampshire Chronicle on March 18, Vice Chancellor Joy Carter said the statue, sculpted by artist Christine Charlesworth, is a “symbol of our commitment to take transformative action to combat the climate emergency.”

”This is a statement of action,” she continued, “to stand with Greta and take inspiration from the life-saving message she has brought to us and urgently make a difference in the world.” 

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According to the Hampshire Chronicle, the statue will be named “Make a Difference” and placed near the university’s West Downs Centre.  

Not everyone welcomed the news. When the Hampshire Chronicle asked its readers how they felt about the university’s commemoration of Greta Thunberg, student Henry Osbourne wrote, “As a student, why weren’t we given a vote over who to have a statue of?” 

And Simon Dixon said, “What a total waste of money...I wonder [whose] bright idea that was.” 

Carter said she hopes displaying Thunberg’s likeness at the university inspires more people to believe in the scientific claims of the sustainability and climate change movements. 

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”We want this landmark statue to be a symbol of our commitment to make a difference,” she said, “We invite all those who engage with it to do the same.” 

Campus Reform reached out to Winchester University for comment on this story. It will be updated accordingly. 

Follow the author of this article: Dion J. Pierre