British university criticized for planned life-size Greta Thunberg statue

A British university is drawing fire for its plans to erect a life-sized statue of 18-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on its Hampshire campus, according to a report.

Winchester University plans to unveil the likeness of the spunky environmental activist on March 30 — but has some questioning why.

“What a total waste of money,” local resident Simon Dixon told the Hampshire Chronicle. “Total waste of money. I wonder whose bright idea that was.”

University student Henry Osbourne wondered why he and others at the school “weren’t given a vote over who to have a statue of?”

“I think the statue sculpture itself is very good,” added Hampshire reader Michelle Coombs. “But Greta has no connection with Winchester, or am I wrong?”

The statue, called Make a Difference, is being completed by British artist Christine Charlesworth, and was commissioned by the university in 2019 at a cost of more than $32,000, the Chronicle reported.

“The university wanted a sculpture of Greta because it is a very ‘green’ university, and they feel that Greta will be an inspiration to all the students,” Charlesworth said.

“Originally the interview committee were talking about her sitting on the ground, wearing her yellow coat,” she said. “But I feel strongly about portraying her telling more about the person she is.”

Officials at Winchester University did not immediately reply to a request for comment.