Greta Thunberg is awarded the "alternative Nobel Prize" - the youngest ever

A Swedish climate activist, a Chinese women's rights fighter, a Western Saharan human rights activist and a leader of indigenous peoples in Brazil.

Four people from four different continents were announced as this year's Right Livelihood award winners at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm on Wednesday morning. Award winners now receive one million SEK each from the foundation.

Greta Thunberg, 16, is the youngest to date to be awarded what is sometimes called "the alternative Nobel Prize".

- Not only has she created attention, she has also turned this attention into political demands that are heard all over the world. She has inspired many others to get involved politically and this in a generation that adults sometimes claim is a passive and unengaged generation, says Ole von Uexkull, director of the Right Livelihood Foundation.

The Swedish climate activist receives the award "for, based on scientific facts, to inspire and strengthen political demands for immediate action against climate change".

Human rights activist Aminatou Haidar from Western Sahara is awarded the prize "for his uncompromising non-violent struggle for independence and justice for the people of Western Sahara, despite torture and persecution".

Chinese lawyer Guo Jianmei is praised "for her pioneering and persistent efforts to secure women's rights in China".

Davi Kopenawa and the Hutukara Yanomami Association, which he co-founded, receive the award "for their tireless and courageous efforts to protect the Amazon forests and biodiversity, as well as the indigenous peoples' territories and culture".

- What the four have in common is that they are practical visionaries. They have made people around the world stand up to injustices and for a sustainable future, says Ole von Uexkull.