As Earth Day dawned around the world, word came that one environmental advocate in the Philippines was gunned down last week and another is living under threat to his life. A leading Philippines newspaper today called the murdered man an "Earth Day martyr." Elpidio de la Victoria was shot in the back and killed on April 13 in Cebu, Philippines, as he returned to his house from buying food for the Easter holiday celebration.
A Vietnam veteran battling to ensure safe disposal of U.S. chemical weapons stockpiles, the Liberian who exposed the illegal logging that funded war in his country, and the Brazilian behind the creation of the world's largest area of protected tropical rainforest are among the winners of this year's prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize
'These six winners are among the most important people you have not heard of before," said Goldman Prize founder Richard Goldman. "All of them have fought, often alone and at great personal risk, to protect the environment in their home countries. Their incredible achievements are an inspiration to all of us." The $125,000 Goldman Environmental Prize, now in its 17th year, is awarded annually to six grassroots environmental heroes and is the largest award of its kind in the world.
