THE DOING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
2015 Goldman Prize winner Howard Wood spearheaded a campaign that established the first community-developed Marine Protected Area in Scotland, giving citizens a voice in a debate that has been dominated by the commercial fishing industry. On June 11, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, announced that a Marine Conservation Order (MCO)…
Over the past two weeks we have spotlighted the growing threat of violence against environmental activists. Today we are exploring some of the recommendations put forward in Global Witness’s recent report and the steps the Goldman Prize has taken to defend Prize winners under threat. Global Witness recently stated, “The violence [against activists] is exacerbated…
After learning her own breast milk was making her baby sick—and realizing her child wasn’t the only one suffering from lead poisoning— 2015 Goldman Prize winner Phyllis Omido galvanized the community in Mombasa to shut down the smelter that was exposing people to dangerous chemicals. In this Q&A we discuss how she came to be…
The Goldman Prize is known for recognizing environmental activists who have accomplished major environmental achievements while enduring significant risks to their safety. In addition to murder, threats faced by activists often include harassment, physical abuse, intimidation, false criminalization, unjust arrests and jail sentences. In 2014, Global Witness reported that the frequency of murders of environmentalists…
Facing heavy government scrutiny and restricted use of tools like email or social media, 2015 Goldman Prize winner Myint Zaw launched a national movement that successfully stopped construction of the Myitsone Dam on Myanmar’s treasured Irrawaddy River. We sat down with Myint to find out how he did it. Tell us about growing up in…
Around the world, growing competition for natural resources has led to a dramatic increase in violence against environmental activists. A recent report from Global Witness entitled “How Many More? 2014’s Deadly Environment: the killing and intimidation of environment and land activists, with a spotlight on Honduras” details just how perilous the situation has become, especially…
Q&A with Berta Cáceres In a country with growing socioeconomic inequality and human rights violations, Berta Cáceres rallied the indigenous Lenca people of Honduras and waged a grassroots campaign and 21 month road block that successfully pressured the world’s largest dam builder to pull out of the Agua Zarca Dam. What led you to become…
In a country plagued by extreme poverty and political instability, 2015 Goldman Prize winner Jean Wiener led community efforts to establish the Haiti’s first Marine Protected Areas by empowering local citizens to see the long-term value in sustainably managing fisheries and mangrove forests. How did you first become aware of the severity of Haiti’s natural…
The 2015 Goldman Prize ceremony took place on Monday, April 20 at the historic War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, followed by a reception at City Hall. At the standing-room only ceremony, an audience of nearly 4,000 celebrated the accomplishments of the 2015 Goldman Prize winners: Phyllis Omido, Myint Zaw, Howard Wood, Jean Wiener,…
Congratulations to the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize Winners! Phyllis Omido, Kenya: After learning her own breast milk was making her baby sick—and realizing her child wasn’t the only one suffering from lead poisoning— Phyllis Omido galvanized the community in Mombasa to shut down the smelter that was exposing people to dangerous chemicals. Myint Zaw, Myanmar: Facing…