Goldman Environmental Prize

Celebrate grassroots environmental activists around the worldeveryday heroes who do extraordinary things to protect our planet. Hosted by Jane Fonda and featuring special guests Sigourney Weaver and Vanessa Nakate, as well as performances by Baaba Maal, Ndlovu Youth Choir, and Lenny Kravitz, watch the 2021 #GoldmanPrize Virtual Award Ceremony on Tuesday, June 15 at 4:00 pm PDT / 7:00 pm EDT. Register to watch: rsvp.goldmanprize.org/2021

In 2020, Nemonte Nenquimo won the #GoldmanPrize for Ecuador. She led an Indigenous campaign and legal action that resulted in a court ruling protecting 500,000 acres of Amazonian rainforest and Waorani territory from oil extraction. Nenquimo’s leadership and the lawsuit set a legal precedent for Indigenous rights in Ecuador, and other tribes are following in her footsteps to protect additional tracts of rainforest from oil extraction. Nemonte continues to advocate for Indigenous voices and conservation of the Amazon in partnership with Amazon Frontlines

A great feature by The New York Times on Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate. We are thrilled to have her speak at the 2021 #GoldmanPrize Virtual Award Ceremony on June 15.

The legendary Lois Gibbs (United States, 1990), the environmental justice advocate credited with kickstarting the EPA's Superfund program, comments on President Biden's proposed infrastructure plan.

"I am basking in her light." #GoldmanPrize jury member Wanjira Mathai celebrates her mother, Wangari Maathai (Kenya, 1991) of the The Green Belt Movement, and motivates youth to engage in the #climatecrisis.

Congratulations to Peak Plastic Foundation on the launch of its new #PlasticJustice film series, which calls attention to the global movement to #breakfreefromplastic. The series exposes the harms of plastic pollution, both in the United States and abroad, as demonstrated by 2011 #GoldmanPrize winner Prigi Arisandi of Indonesia.

We want to thank Robert Redford, one of the world’s great environmental champions, for his 17 years as the voice of the Goldman Environmental Prize. In addition to narrating Prize winner videos, Mr. Redford has been a special guest at the Prize ceremony, acted as a global ambassador for the Prize, and, for over 50 years, has graced the environmental community with his activism and leadership. On behalf of the Prize and in honor of his phenomenal work, we are proud to support The Redford Center, which uses film and other forms of creative storytelling to advance environmental protection and justice around the world.

We condemn the violence perpetuated by Chilean police against #GoldmanPrize winner Alberto Curamil and the #Mapuche community. We are calling for a full investigation into the unwarranted shooting and arrest of Alberto that took place on April 29. We have sent an official letter of protest to the Chilean government and want to make clear that the international community is watching Chile and its conduct. Read the official statement here: https://bit.ly/3nVYboc /// Condenamos ...la violencia y el maltrato hecho por las fuerzas policiales chilenas en contra del galardonado del Premio Goldman Alberto Curamil y la comunidad mapuche. Pedimos una investigación del incidente del disparo sin provocación y la detención de Alberto Curamil el 29 de abril. Hemos enviado una carta oficial al gobierno chileno y queremos que sepan que la comunidad internacional está observando. Lea la declaración oficial aquí: https://bit.ly/3b7DSiO See more

Climate activists like 2018 #GoldmanPrize winner Makoma Lekalakala draw inspiration from South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.

We are very sad to share the news that Elias Díaz Peña (Paraguay, 2000) of Sobrevivencia Amigos de la Tierra Paraguay passed away this week. Elias was a scientist, nature lover, and passionate environmentalist. He will be greatly missed. Read about his legacy.

Did you know that three of the six 2020 #GoldmanPrize winners are Indigenous? We are honored to help amplify Indigenous voices, perspectives, and knowledge in the protection of our environment. This Earth Month, learn their stories.

We are thrilled to announce the host of the 2021 Goldman Environmental Prize Virtual Ceremony: two-time Academy Award-winning actor, author, climate activist, and fitness guru Jane Fonda. Register to watch the #GoldmanPrize on Tuesday, June 15: rsvp.goldmanprize.org/2021

As #GoldmanPrize winner Paul Sein Twa (Myanmar, 2020) and his Karen community fight for the future of the Salween Peace Park and Myanmar, Program Officer Lindsey Freedman reflects on meeting Paul in 2020.

Congratulations to the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize winners! https://bit.ly/33s3dA1

Can some "climate solutions" actually harm the environment? Ana Colovic Lesoska (North Macedonia, 2019) sits down with Mongabay.com to discuss the biomass and hydropower industries.

In an ironic twist, the development of a sustainable energy project in India endangers crop land and wildlife. Prafulla Samantara (India, 2017) calls it a land grab.

"Our forests, our land are part of our culture, our identity. We will see our way of life disrupted again." Paul Sein Twa (Myanmar, 2020) reflects on the recent coup in Myanmar.

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Throughout the 31-year history of the #GoldmanPrize, we have been honored to recognize both formally trained scientists and citizen scientists, all united in the fight to protect our planet. Pictured here, Kristal Ambrose leads a fish dissection and snorkels with students members of her NGO, the Bahamas Plastic Movement. Kristal won the #GoldmanPrize in 2020 for her work in getting her country to ban single-use plastics. https://bit.ly/3jkTn9X She's not stopping thereKristal is currently pursuing her #PhD in Maritime Affairs at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden. We look forward to seeing what is next for Kristal! #WomenInScience

Environmental activist and lawyer Helen Slottje (United States, 2014) joined The Berkeley Forum to discuss her experiences banning fracking in upstate New York. Reporting via The Daily Californian. https://bit.ly/3rxBrvm

We'd like to recognize the decades of work by community leader and tireless advocate for racial and environmental justice Hilton Kelley. 10 years after Hilton won the #GoldmanPrize for the United States, his fight continues. He is the founder and director of the Community In-Power and Development Association in Port Arthur, Texas. A diverse community with a significant Black population, Port Arthur is home to the largest oil refinery in North America. Thank you, Hilton, for amplifying issues of injustice in our country and advocating for change.

If we take lessons from how we reacted to the pandemic, that is how we can react to the threat of climate change." Makoma Lekalakala (South Africa, 2018) participates in a conversation about South Africa's future as a climate hotspot.

It's one month until the 2020 #GoldmanPrize Virtual Award Ceremony! Are you registered for the environmental event of the year?

#ThowbackThursday to when Paramount Chief Loir Botor Dingit of the Bentian Tribal Council in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, led rattan farmers in sustainable forest management, a campaign that generated national attention and won government support for forest dwellers’ rights. Loir won the #GoldmanPrize in 1997. He passed away in 2005. Read his full story: https://bit.ly/2HH0CtN

Von Hernandez (The Philippines, 2003) of Break Free From Plastic notes the irony of businesses increasing production of plastic while claiming to be committed to solving the problem of plastic pollution.

Conveying steely determination and strength against a tropical explosion of color, what do you think of this painting of indigenous leader Ruth Buendía (Peru, 2014) of Central Asháninka Río Ene? Artist: Gisella Stapleton Read Ruth's story: https://bit.ly/3k1oM0p

Listen to Mongabay.com's conversation with #GoldmanPrize winner Rudi Putra (Indonesia, 2014) about Sumatra's phenomenal biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the future of the country's conservation and development.

Following a court decision allowing Exide to abandon a heavily contaminated battery recycling plant in Los Angeles County, #GoldmanPrize winner mark! Lopez (USA, 2017) of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and protesters dumped contaminated soil at the steps of the courthouse. Learn about this evolving story.

Celebrate snow leopards by learning how 2019 #GoldmanPrize recipient Bayara Agvaantseren (Mongolia, 2019) conserved their remote habitat.

Thanks to everyone who joined yesterday’s Q&A on MAXIMA! Learn how to get involved and support her directly: https://bit.ly/37ntYbq There are two more days to watch the documentary film (ends 10/24): https://bit.ly/2SDLJuQ

I Flood & I Vote. Hilton Kelley (USA, 2011) joins with other marginalized voices in sharing his experience with climate change in Port Arthur, Texas.

Instead of reading a speech at the 2016 #GoldmanPrize award ceremony, Máxima Acuña did something no other Prize winner has done beforeshe memorized it and put it into song. Watch the documentary #MAXIMA today, October 21 - 24! #StandWithMaxima Watch and learn more: https://bit.ly/2SDLJuQ

Rudi Putra (Indonesia, 2014) shares the story of an exciting encounter with a Sumatran rhino.

"In 1986, when the #Chernobyl disaster sent radioactive clouds all over Europe, we knew we had to do something against nuclear energy." Meet Ursula Sladek (Germany, 2011), whose grassroots activism helped turn Germany away from nuclear and toward renewables. Watch her full story: https://bit.ly/3dG44ki

Mother and grassroots environmental hero Lois Gibbs of Center for Health, Environment & Justice is critical of the US government's current Superfund response. Lois was part of the inaugural cohort of #GoldmanPrize winners in 1990.