The Goldman Environmental Prize

Craig Williams Continues the Fight to Clean up Chemical Weapons Around the World

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:19 -0400

Craig Williams Continues the Fight to Clean up Chemical Weapons Around the World:

2006 Goldman Prize recipient Craig Williams’ campaign to safely dispose of the world’s stockpile of chemical weapons continues to keep him busy.Williams was awarded the Prize for the major role he played in ensuring that safe disposal methods were put in place at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky- where he lives- and at stockpile incineration sites all over the country.As a member of the Governor’s Commission on Chemical Weapons, and a central figure in the fight to eradicate chemical weapons, Williams has attended two sessions of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international body overseeing global chemical weapon elimination efforts at The Hague in the Netherlands.According to Williams, nearly 98% of the world’s population- or 188 countries- are party to the treaty and 78.5% of the world’s declared chemical weapons stock piles have been safely destroyed.Since being awarded the Goldman Prize, Williams’ work has also been honored with

Jonathan Deal Wraps-Up US Tour with Appearance at CA State Senate

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:27:36 -0400

Jonathan Deal Wraps-Up US Tour with Appearance at CA State Senate:

Following the 2013 Goldman Prize tour, Prize recipient Jonathan Deal spent several weeks touring around the United States to gather first-hand information about fracking from industry consultants, politicians, scientists and local citizens from communities where fracking is prevalent.Deal concluded his tour with a visit to the California State Senate in Sacramento, where he was formally introduced and had the opportunity to deliver a written appeal asking the California Senate to fully consider the negative effects of fracking.Reflecting on the experiences from his US travels, Deal stated, “fracking carries with it significant environmental risk, far-reaching secondary costs to tax payers, and locks economies - both developing and developed - into a further dependence on fossil fuels.”He also added, “Fracking firmly delays the emergence of renewable technologies.”While in Sacramento, Deal met one on one with Senator Fran Pavely, who stated, “Jonathan Deal is living proof that

Spotlight on Washington, DC Ceremony MC Barbara Harrison

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:27:17 -0400

Spotlight on Washington, DC Ceremony MC Barbara Harrison:

This week we are spotlighting long-time friend of the Prize, Barbara Harrison. A local NBC news anchor in Washington, DC, Harrison has been the Master of Ceremonies for the DC Goldman Prize ceremony for nine years.Before moving to Washington, DC in 1981, Harrison worked as a news anchor for KGO-TV in San Francisco. She knew Mr. Richard Goldman for many years.Harrison has been honored with several awards for her work including several Emmys, the Ted Yates Award for outstanding community service, and an award from the International Film and TV Festival of New York for a half-hour special she reported and produced, “The Healing of Kuwait.”Year after year Harrison brings great energy and aplomb to the Goldman Prize ceremony, and year after year we are grateful for her dedication and efforts to spotlight the work of the Goldman Prize recipients. Thank you, Barbara!

Highlights from the Capitol Luncheon

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:26:39 -0400

Highlights from the Capitol Luncheon:

A luncheon at the Capitol Building honoring the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients was a highlight of the Washington, DC Prize tour. The Prize was once again honored to have as its special guest, long-time friend of the Prize, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.Congresswoman Pelosi congratulated each of the recipients for their leadership in their home countries and was very happy to introduce them to her colleagues in Congress. Nearly 20 Members of Congress attended the luncheon and spoke with the recipients, learning more about their environmental efforts and the urgent challenges they are addressing at home.Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut joined numerous House Representatives at the luncheon.Goldman Prize recipient Aleta Baun of Indonesia presented Congresswoman Pelosi with a colorful, beautifully hand-woven scarf, made by her fellow indigenous women of Mollo on the island of Timor in Indonesia. Congresswoman Pelosi wore it proud

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Meet with CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:29:27 -0400

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Meet with CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley:

While in Washington, DC, the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients met with longtime friend of the Prize, Chair Nancy Sutley of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Deputy Assistant for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal.After Chair Sutley and Ms. Zichal congratulated the 2013 Prize recipients on their accomplishments, each of the Prize recipients had the opportunity to share their stories and discuss ways the CEQ could support them in their work.The group discussed the ramifications of our fossil fuel driven society and the impact of climate change on local communities. They also commented on the necessity of scientific research for making sound development decisions, especially in regard to resource extraction.Chair Sutley emphasized the importance of involving the public in government decisions, saying, “The law that created the CEQ also created a requirement for the federal government to review environmental impacts of all decision it makes. The US wanted to

Goldman Prize Recipients Send Open Letter to President of Gabon

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:27:55 -0400

Goldman Prize Recipients Send Open Letter to President of Gabon:

Last month, the international community received news that 2009 Goldman Prize recipient, Marc Ona Essangui is facing possible jail time and a fee of nearly $10,000.00 US after recently being convicted of defamation by a Gabonese court.The defamation charge was filed after Ona allegedly spoke out against possible government corruption involving Soleman Liban, a senior advisor to Gabonese President Ali Bongo, and Olam Gabon, a foreign agricultural company that operates in Gabon.The global network of Goldman Prize recipients immediately jumped to action, working together to draft an open letter to the President of Gabon which was signed by over 50 Goldman Prize recipients and circulated on their networks. Ona was awarded the Goldman Prize in 2009 for his efforts to publicly expose the unlawful agreements behind a huge mining project threatening the sensitive ecosystems of Gabon’s equatorial rainforests. As one of Gabon’s most prominent environmental activists, the internation

Highlights from the 2013 Crissy Field Youth Reception

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:27:57 -0400

Highlights from the 2013 Crissy Field Youth Reception:

During the 2013 Prize tour in San Francisco, the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients were honored with a reception at the Crissy Field Center in Presidio National Park, where they had the opportunity to interact with students from the local youth groups, including Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL).Prize recipients were interviewed by students before being introduced to the audience, where they each delivered brief remarks and words of encouragement for the youth. After the presentations, the Prize recipients participated in a tree-planting ceremony before enjoying refreshments and mingling with the students.Year after year, the youth reception at the Crissy Field Center continues to be a highlight of Prize tour, with Prize recipients coming away feeling reenergized and inspired by their experience with the students.Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Crissy Field Center, Frank Dean and the National Park Service, Greg Moore and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Meet with Senior EPA Officials

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:27:54 -0400

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Meet with Senior EPA Officials:

While in Washington, DC last month, the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients had the opportunity to discuss their work with several senior staff at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including acting EPA Administrator Robert Perciasepe and Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Environmental Justice, Lisa Garcia.Other EPA staff in attendance included Cynthia Giles (Assistant Administrator, Enforcement and Compliance), Mathy Stanislaus (Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response), Bicky Corman (Deputy General Counsel), and Charles Lee (Deputy Assistant Administrator for Environmental Justice).Each of the Prize recipients had the opportunity to discuss their campaigns and highlight how the EPA’s support, assistance and partnership could be beneficial to their efforts in their home countries.Speaking on behalf of the efforts of all Goldman Prize recipients, 2013 North American Prize recipient Kim Wasserman of Chicago stated to Perciasepe and the officials in the r

New Study Shows Glyphosate Linked to Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:27:01 -0400

New Study Shows Glyphosate Linked to Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease:

A new study about the harmful effects of Glyphosate is lending weight to 2012 Goldman Prize recipient Sofia Gatica’s campaign to stop the indiscriminate spraying of toxic agrochemicals in Argentina and around the world.The peer-reviewed study, which appeared in the scientific journal Entropy, focuses on Monsanto’s popular herbicide, Round Up, and its chief ingredient glyphosate.The study finds that glyphosate is linked to a plethora of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson’s, cancer, infertility and birth defects, once again confirming what activists like Gatica have been claiming for years.Gatica was awarded the Prize in 2012 for her efforts to expose the dangers of agrochemicals, after losing her infant daughter to pesticide poisoning. Today, she and the team at Mothers of Ituzaingó, the organization she helped establish, are taking their campaign to the global level- partnering with activist groups in the US and europe to call for an end to industrial pesticid

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Nohra Padilla and Rossano Ercolini Visit SF Recycling Center

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:34:43 -0400

2013 Goldman Prize Recipients Nohra Padilla and Rossano Ercolini Visit SF Recycling Center:

During the San Francisco leg of the Prize tour, 2013 recipients Rossano Ercolini and Nohra Padilla had the opportunity to visit Recology’s Pier 96, San Francisco’s state of the art recycling center.The employee-owned center diverts 30 large shipping containers of recyclable material from landfills six days a week while providing 180 full-time jobs to the city.Ercolini and Padilla are both working to reduce waste in their communities. Ercolini, who is leading the effort to stop waste incineration in Europe, used San Francisco’s recycling program as a model for his own Zero Waste program.Padilla is leading the effort to make recycling a legitimate part of waste management in Colombia. She recently received partial financing from the Inter-American Development to create a new recycling center in Bogota- which may also be influenced by the San Francisco model.During their tour of the Recology center, Ercolini and Padilla met with Paul Giusti and Robert Reed from Recology, as well as

2013 Prize: Q&A with Jonathan Deal

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:32:28 -0400

2013 Prize: Q&A with Jonathan Deal:

Jonathan Deal led a successful campaign against fracking in South Africa to protect the Karoo, a semi-desert region treasured for its agriculture, beauty and wildlife.What is life like in the Karoo?I think there’s a misperception that the Karoo is a ‘throwaway’ place, somewhere that can be easily exploited; because it is dry and arid, people assume it’s not good farmland. I believe this is why Shell underestimated the will of the people and the people’s spiritual connection to the land. But in fact, the Karoo is home to diverse communities and industries. The Karoo is a big producer of meat and vegetables for South Africa. It is one of the biggest mohair export regions in the world, and also produces wine, olives, honey and leatherwork.How did you learn about Shell’s plans to begin fracking in the Karoo, and what drove you to stop it?I opened the local newspaper in January 2011 and there was an article about South African business tycoon Johann Rupert having a go at Shell

The 2013 Goldman Prize Tour Continues in Washington, DC

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:28:20 -0400

The 2013 Goldman Prize Tour Continues in Washington, DC:

The 2013 Goldman Prize recipients have not slowed down a bit in the days following Monday’s award ceremony, leaving San Francisco on Tuesday morning for Washington, DC.The Prize recipients had the honor of meeting with several prominent political leaders including President Barack Obama, Acting EPA Administrator Robert Perciasepe and Chair Nancy Sutley from the White House Council on Environmental Quality.The Prize recipients also joined several members of Congress, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, for a luncheon on Capitol Hill.The 2013 Goldman Prize ceremony in Washington, DC took place on Wednesday, April 17 at our new venue- the Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center. Local NBC news anchor Barbara Harrison returned as Master of Ceremonies for the standing-room only event and guests enjoyed musical entertainment from singer-songwriter Patty Reese.Tonight the Prize recipients will say farewell to each other as the 2013 Prize tour wraps-up with a farewell dinner

Congratulations to the 2013 Goldman Prize Recipients

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:28:53 -0400

Congratulations to the 2013 Goldman Prize Recipients:

On Monday, April 15, we celebrated six environmental heroes in front of an audience of 3,200 at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House. The ceremony was punctuated by powerful video profiles, energizing speeches from the recipients and overwhelming applause from the audience.Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a reception at San Francisco’s City Hall, where they had the opportunity to meet the Goldman Prize recipients and members of the Goldman family.Congratulations to the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients: Jonathan Deal, Azzam Alwash, Rossano Ercolini, Mama Aleta Baun, Kimberly Wasserman, and Nohra Padilla.

Spotlight on Past Prize Recipients Attending the 2013 Ceremony

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:30:24 -0400

Spotlight on Past Prize Recipients Attending the 2013 Ceremony:

Today we are spotlighting a few Goldman Prize winners that will be attending the 2013 Goldman Prize ceremonies in San Francisco and Washington, DC. We love seeing past Prize recipient sharing such a special night with the newest additions to the Goldman Prize family.This year, we look forward to seeing 2012 Prize recipient Caroline Cannon, an Inupiat from the native Alaskan Village of Point Hope. Cannon was awarded the Prize for her efforts to prevent oil and gas drilling in the Arctic, insisting that oil companies are not prepared for the harsh conditions of working in the Arctic. Cannon will be attending the San Francisco ceremony.2011 Goldman Prize recipient Hilton Kelley will also be attending the San Francisco ceremony this year. Kelley was awarded the Prize in 2011 for his campaign to bring the extreme industrial pollution of Port Arthur, Texas and other marginalized Gulf Coast communities under control. 2006 Prize recipient Craig Williams will be attending the Washington,

Marc Ona Essangui Faces Possible Prison Time

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:28:06 -0400

Marc Ona Essangui Faces Possible Prison Time:

2009 Goldman Prize recipient, Marc Ona Essangui is facing possible jail time and fee of nearly $10,000.00 US after being convicted of defamation by a Gabonese court last week.Ona, Executive Secretary of Brainforest NGO, Coordinator of Publish What You Pay Coalition in Gabon, and Coordinator of Environment Gabon, is one of central Africa’s most prominent environmental activists.The charge was filed after Ona allegedly spoke out against possible government corruption involving Soleman Liban, a senior advisor to the Gabonese president, and Olam Gabon, a foreign agricultural company that operates in Gabon.Ona’s lawyer Ruphin Nkoulou confirmed the conviction to Reuters last week, saying “I regret this decision against my client, who was only fulfilling his role of a counterweight [to the government]. I will consult with my client and possibly appeal this decision.”Ona won the Goldman Prize in 2009 for his efforts to publicly expose the unlawful agreements behind a huge mining proje

Mongolia Set to Host 2013 World Environment Day

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:39:12 -0400

Mongolia Set to Host 2013 World Environment Day:

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced last month that the Mongolia will be the global host of World Environment Day (WED) on June 5, 2013. WED began in 1972 and is the UN’s main vehicle for fostering political awareness and action about environmental issues on a global scale.The theme of this year’s event is “Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Footprint,” and will focus on reducing our impact on the planet by consuming and wasting less.2007 Mongolian Prize recipient Tsetsegee Munkhbayar and his team at the Onggi River Movement (ORM) have played an integral part in protecting Mongolia’s natural environment and advocating for landmark environmental protection legislation there.On such piece of legislation is titled “Prohibiting mining operations at the headwaters of rivers, protected zones of water reservoirs and forested areas,” and was passed in July 2009 after years of campaigning by ORM and others NGOs. The law protects over 30% of Mongolia’s territory from mining a

Make Everyday World Water Day

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:26:56 -0400

Make Everyday World Water Day:

In honor of last week’s World Water Day, we are taking a look back at a handful of Goldman Prize recipients who are working to protect one of our most precious resources: water.Ikal Angelei won the Goldman Prize in 2012 for her efforts to save Lake Turkana from the devastating impacts of the Gibe III dam project. Lake Turkana is the world’s largest desert lake and the main source of livelihood for thousands of rural Kenyans.Prigi Arisandi was awarded the Goldman Prize in 2011 for his efforts to clean up and protect Indonesia’s Surabaya River from industrial pollutants. Today, thanks to his efforts, parts of the river have been restored to full health.Maria Gunnoe won the Prize in 2009 for her advocacy against mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia. Mountaintop removal mining projects near Gunnoe’s community have polluted the groundwater so badly that she and her family must use bottled water for cooking and drinking.

Sharks Win Protection at CITES Convention

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:27:46 -0400

Sharks Win Protection at CITES Convention:

The 2013 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a 12-day summit held every three years, took place earlier this month in Bangkok, Thailand.The convention is being hailed by many conservationists as one of the most successful in recent decades, a sentiment being echoed by 2010 Goldman Prize recipient Randall Aruaz and his team at PRETOMA.Arauz attended CITES as the marine species advisor to the Costa Rican delegation and celebrated as several new safeguards to protect sharks were passed. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe, the shark rulings were “probably the most significant advancement” to come out of the convention.Five shark species were added to Appendix II of the CITES convention, including porbeagles, oceanic whitetips, great hammerheads, scalloped hammer heads and smooth hammerheads.“This measure will finally control the irrational and unsustainable catch of hammerhead sharks to meet the demand of shark fins in internatio

Short Videos Give Background on Mercury Pollution around the World

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:46:21 -0400

Short Videos Give Background on Mercury Pollution around the World:

Check out these informative videos that 2009 Goldman Prize recipient Yuyun Ismawati shared with us to find out more about the global issue of mercury pollution.Ismawati was awarded the Goldman Prize in 2009 for her work to implement sustainable community-based waste and sanitation management programs in Indonesia that provide employment opportunities to low-income people and empower them to improve the environment.In 2008, Ismawati became intrigued by mercury pollution in Indonesia and around the world. Today she is a leading advocate for stricter regulations to protect human and the environment from mercury pollution.

1995 Prize Recipient Yul Choi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:25:08 -0400

1995 Prize Recipient Yul Choi Sentenced to One Year in Prison:

1995 Goldman Prize recipient and President of the Korea Green Foundation, Yul Choi, has received a sentence of one year imprisonment from the Supreme Court of South Korea. The Korea Green Foundation and the Korea Federation for Environmental Movement are calling for Mr. Choi’s release, labeling his trial “politically biased, legally unjust and morally corrupt.”The Korean government of then-President Lee Myongback began investigating Choi in 2008, following his participation in a massive, nation-wide protest against the Four Rivers Restoration Project.As one of most prominent figures in Korea’s environmental movement, Choi’s sentence is seen by many in the international environmental community as a warning from the Korean government that civil uprisings will not be tolerated.Mr. Choi won the Goldman Prize in 1995 for leading a successful national campaign to stop the construction of a nuclear waste facility on Korea’s Anmyon Island. He is also credited for establishing Sout