The Goldman Environmental Foundation has announced the six recipients of the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize. Now in its 23rd year, the Goldman Environmental Prize is awarded annually to grassroots environmental heroes from each of the world’s six inhabited continental regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Island Nations, North America, and South America). It is the largest award for grassroots activism, with an individual cash prize of $150,000. The Goldman Environmental Prize was established in 1989 by late San Francisco civic leaders and philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. Prize winners are selected by an international jury from confidential nominations submitted by a worldwide network of environmental organizations and individuals. The Prize recognizes achievements in forest protection, desert lake conservation, nickel mining opposition, pesticide regulation and fighting oil development in Arctic waters. This group of brave individuals work to protect the environment and their communities despite opposition and even threats to their personal health and safety. 2012 recipients come from Argentina, China, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, and the United States. This year’s winners are:
IKAL ANGELEI, Kenya Risking her life, Ikal Angelei is fighting the construction of the massive Gibe 3 Dam that would block access to water for indigenous communities around Lake Turkana.
MA JUN, China Ma Jun is working with corporations to clean up their practices with an online database and digital map that shows Chinese citizens which factories are violating environmental regulations in their country.
EVGENIA CHIRIKOVA, Russia Challenging rampant political corruption, Evgenia Chirikova is mobilizing her fellow Russian citizens to demand the rerouting of a highway that would bisect Khimki Forest, Moscow’s “green lungs.”
EDWIN GARIGUEZ, Philippines A Catholic priest, Father Edwin Gariguez is leading a grassroots movement against a large-scale nickel mine to protect Mindoro Island’s biodiversity and its indigenous people.
CAROLINE CANNON, USA Caroline Cannon is bringing the voice and perspective of her Inupiat community in Point Hope to the battle to keep Arctic waters safe from offshore oil and gas drilling.
SOFIA GATICA, Argentina A mother whose infant died as a result of pesticide poisoning, Sofía Gatica is organizing local women to stop indiscriminate spraying of toxic agrochemicals in neighboring soy fields.
For more information on the Goldman Prize click here.
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