ENVIRONMENT NEWS
April 20, 2009
And the Goldman Goes To...
The Goldman Environmental Prize honors environmentalists from around the globe
The Goldman Environmental Prize has been called the Nobel Prize for the green movement. Since 1989, the prize has honored grassroots environmental heroes from six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America and South and Central America. It has been awarded to 133 people from 75 countries. After receiving a Goldman Prize, eight winners have gone on to serve in national office in their countries.
 |  RICK EGLINTON—TORONTO STAR/ZUMA PRESS Goldman Prize-winner Maria Gunnoe carries water to her home in West Virginia. Out of concern for the safety of her drinking water, Gunnoe says she only drinks bottled water. |
Each winner receives an award of $150,000, the largest award in the world for grassroots environmentalists and their efforts to protect and enhance the environment for people in their communities. The 2009 winners will be honored today in San Francisco. They will also be honored on Wednesday, which is Earth Day, in Washington, D.C. "For this, our 20th year, we are pleased to bring attention to their courageous work," says Richard N. Goldman, founder of the prize.
Friends of the EarthThis year's North American winner is Maria Gunnoe, who lives in southwestern West Virginia. She believes that coal mining has been harmful to her hometown and the areas around it. She earned the award for her outspoken efforts to get the coal mining industry to clean up and take more care. She feels she's just doing what's right. "I never even knew I was an environmentalist," says Gunnoe.
In Africa, Marc Ona Essangui of Libreville, Gabon, also won a Goldman Prize for his work in the field of mining. Gabon is part of the Congo Basin Rainforest, the second largest rainforest in the world. Ona is working to clean up a huge mining project that threatens these sensitive ecosystems. Ona has been in a wheelchair since childhood. He also fights for handicapped rights and Internet availability for Africans.
Rizwana Hasan of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Olga Speranskaya of Moscow, Russia, Yuyun Ismawati of Bali, Indonesia and Wanze Eduards and Hugo Jabini of Paramaribo, Suriname, also won the top prize for their outstanding environmental work.
