Goldman Environmental Prize Blog

I met Howard Wood a year ago in Geneva, Switzerland, for a conference hosted by IUCN. As we approached each other in our hotel’s eclectic lobby, Howard’s well-worn Patagonia sweater contrasted sharply with the vibrant pink decor. With bright blue eyes that sparkled from underneath a salt-weathered baseball cap, Howard greeted me with a warm…

It’s been just over a week since we announced the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners, seven ordinary people who took extraordinary actions to protect their environments and communities. Follow along as we reflect on some highlights from a whirlwind two weeks. The 2024 Goldman Prize Winner Announcement On Monday, April 29, we announced the 2024…

The San Francisco Bay Area welcomed the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners with open arms this April. During a busy week meeting with nonprofits and foundations, and celebrating their remarkable contributions to the global environmental movement, the Prize winners also paused to take in the natural beauty of the Bay Area. A Stop at the…

We are honored to announce the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners. These grassroots environmental leaders prove that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact on the planet. Join us tonight, April 29, 2024, at 5:30 pm PDT (8:30 pm EDT) in celebrating this year’s winners. Tune into the livestream of the San Francisco ceremony on…

In honor of Earth Month and the 35th anniversary of the Goldman Environmental Prize, the Goldman Prize is excited to announce the launch of GROW, a public art installation in San Francisco. Designed by Bay Area artists Brian Singer and Laura Hapka, and developed in collaboration with Friends of the Urban Forest, Local Language, and…

1. The Earth Isn’t Round No, it’s not flat, but it’s not perfectly round, either. It’s actually an ellipsoid—a slightly squashed sphere. The Earth bulges at the center and flattens at the poles due to the planet’s rotational force. The Earth’s surface is further distorted by steep mountains and deep ocean trenches. 2. The Coldest…

Women are critical defenders of their communities and environments. Join us in learning about some of their stories. Rachel Carson Perhaps the mother of the American environmental movement, Rachel Carson (1907-1964) set into motion a global awakening to the dangers of chemical pesticides (she, of course, preceded the Goldman Prize). A marine biologist and nature…

We celebrate the contributions of Black leaders to the environmental movement in the United States and around the world. Join us in learning about some of their stories. Sharon Lavigne Environmental justice advocate Sharon Lavigne (United States, 2021) successfully stopped the construction of a $1.25 billion plastics manufacturing plant in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The…

The Goldman Environmental Prize is excited to share that the 2024 Prize winners will be announced on Monday, April 29. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Goldman Prize. The Prize winners will be celebrated at live ceremonies following Earth Week: in San Francisco on Monday, April 29, and in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 1. The…

Happy New Year to our global community. It’s often said that optimism in the face of daunting odds is a prerequisite for all environmentalists. So, in a very challenging year for both environmentalists and humanity in general, I want to focus on what brings us hope in the coming months. For us, the antidote to…