April 6, 2020
The first Goldman Environmental Prize was awarded in April 1990, scheduled to coincide with Earth Day, which debuted in 1970.
Kicked off by a full-page ad in the New York Times, Earth Day established itself as an important new rallying cry and national call to action. The 1970 ad shows the humble beginnings of this movement, noting its populist roots and a support base in local colleges. At the same time, its goals were ambitious, calling for “real rather than rhetorical solutions,” and asked for a commitment “For you. For us. For our children.”
50 years later—as Earth Day and the Goldman Prize are both flourishing—Earth Day’s most recent ad in the New York Times, in February 2020, calls for people around the world to “Stand Up. Speak Up. Show Up.” Now a global phenomenon, Earth Day engages millions around the world in the critical fight for our planet and our future.
Inspired by this recent article by Earth Day Network, we were motivated to go on our own trip down memory lane with the New York Times.
Starting in 1994, the Goldman Environmental Prize has showcased each year’s Prize winners in the New York Times. As of this moment, over 194 Prize winners from around the world have appeared in the ads, elevating their vital environmental work and messages to a national and international audience.
As that initial Earth Day ad said, “Big names don’t save the environment. People do.”
Enjoy a look back at Goldman Prize history.
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