The 2007 Goldman Environmental Prizes

[IChing]

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/

This year's winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize -- announced annually on Earth Day and widely acknowledged as the world's most prestigious and largest such award -- are Willie Corduff of Ireland, Julio Cusurichi of Peru, Orri Vigfusson of Iceland, Ts. Munkhbayar of Mongolia, Hammerskjoeld Simwinga of Zambia and Sophia Rabliauskas of Canada.

The prize -- established in 1990 by San Francisco philanthropist Richard Goldman and his late wife, Rhoda Goldman -- recognizes average people who have struggled to make a difference. Winners usually have accomplished tremendous things with little more than grit, charisma and a sound moral compass. Many come from regions suffering civil strife as well as environmental degradation; sometimes their activism has put their lives at risk.

An international jury chooses from confidential nominations submitted by environmental organizations and individuals chosen by the foundation.

So far, the prize -- now at $125,000 -- has been awarded to 119 people from 70 countries. The prize affords a cachet to recipients and their causes. Several recipients have been appointed or elected to public office in their home countries, or received even greater honors: Wangari Maathai, a 1991 Goldman Prize winner, received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/22/ING7VPBAGQ1.DTL