Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Greta Thunberg to express his deep appreciation for her efforts to raise awareness of the climate crisis that faces us all.

“It is very encouraging to see how you have inspired other young people to join you in speaking out,” he wrote. “You are waking people up to the scientific consensus and the urgency to act on it.

“I am also an ardent supporter of environmental protection. We humans are the only species with the power to destroy the earth as we know it. Yet, if we have the capacity to destroy the earth, so, too, do we have the capacity to protect it.

“It is encouraging to see how you have opened the eyes of the world to the urgency to protect our planet, our only home. At the same time, you have inspired so many young brothers and sisters to join this movement.”

His Holiness ended his letter by offering his wholehearted support for Ms Thunberg’s efforts with his prayers and good wishes.