Goldman Environmental Prize Blog

2013 Prize recipient Jonathan Deal is leading a campaign to raise awareness about fracking, especially in places like New York, California and Illinois where fracking interest is on the rise. Last month, Deal wrapped up a five-week US tour which he spent gathering first-hand information about fracking from industry consultants, politicians, scientists and local citizens…

Unfazed by powerful political opponents and a pervasive culture of violence, 2013 Goldman Prize recipient Nohra Padilla organized Colombia’s marginalized waste pickers to make recycling a legitimate part of waste management. What was it like growing up as a recycler in Colombia, and how did you become a leader in the fight to transform the…

At the 2013 Goldman Prize award ceremony in Washington, DC, John Goldman (son of the late Richard and Rhoda Goldman and Vice President of the Goldman Environmental Foundation) gave a stirring speech about the risks that Goldman Prize recipients regularly face and the great accomplishments they have achieved in spite of these risks. Specifically, Mr.…

2013 Goldman Prize recipient Kimberly Wasserman led local residents in a successful campaign to shut down two of the country’s oldest and dirtiest coal plants — and is now transforming Chicago’s old industrial sites into parks and multi-use spaces. Describe the community of Little Village and how it shaped your path to becoming a community…

2006 Goldman Prize recipient Craig Williams‘ campaign to safely dispose of the world’s stockpile of chemical weapons continues to keep him busy. Williams was awarded the Prize for the major role he played in ensuring that safe disposal methods were put in place at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky and at stockpile incineration…

Following the 2013 Goldman Prize tour, Prize recipient Jonathan Deal spent several weeks touring around the United States to gather first-hand information about fracking from industry consultants, politicians, scientists and local citizens from communities where fracking is prevalent. Deal concluded his tour with a visit to the California State Senate in Sacramento, where he was…

This week we are spotlighting long-time friend of the Prize, Barbara Harrison. A local NBC news anchor in Washington, DC, Harrison has been the Master of Ceremonies for the DC Goldman Prize ceremony for nine years. Before moving to Washington, DC in 1981, Harrison worked as a news anchor for KGO-TV in San Francisco. She…

A luncheon at the Capitol Building honoring the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients was a highlight of the Washington, DC Prize tour. The Prize was once again honored to have as its special guest, long-time friend of the Prize, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Congresswoman Pelosi congratulated each of the recipients for their leadership in their home…

While in Washington, DC, the 2013 Goldman Prize recipients met with longtime friend of the Prize, Chair Nancy Sutley of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Deputy Assistant for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal. After Chair Sutley and Ms. Zichal congratulated the 2013 Prize recipients on their accomplishments, each of the…

Last month, the international community received news that 2009 Goldman Prize recipient, Marc Ona Essangui is facing possible jail time and a fee of nearly $10,000.00 US after recently being convicted of defamation by a Gabonese court. The defamation charge was filed after Ona allegedly spoke out against possible government corruption involving Soleman Liban, a senior…