The Goldman Environmental Prize, which is more commonly known as the “Nobel Green Prize,” announced the winners this year. The winners are chosen from a worldwide network of environmental organizations. This prize has been running for 37 years and each year six winners are awarded the Nobel Green Prize.
While the Nobel Green Prize is a great honor every year, this year in particular made history. It is the first year in Nobel Green Prize history that all of the winners are women, making a huge breakthrough in environmental activism history.
Everyone is excited about this year’s winners, so who are they? With the Goldman Prize, each of the winners are awarded from each of the six continental regions that are inhabited.
This year the prize winners are Iroro Tanshi from Nigeria, Borim Kim from South Korea, Sarah Finch from the United Kingdom, Theonila Roka Matbob from Papua New Guinea, Alannah Acaq Hurley from the United States, and Yuvelis Morales Blanco from Colombia.
These women were awarded the Nobel Green Prize for tackling climate change through activism, research efforts, and policy proposals.
At Raleigh Charter students and teachers in science shared their excitement about this achievement.
AP Environmental Science teacher and Enriched Biology teacher Ms. Owens said, “It’s hard to put into words the exact emotion I feel. It’s like standing in a fast moving crowd and catching sight of the one face that matters in that moment, a ‘light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel’ feeling. Not only do we come together as human beings to preserve what little resources we have, but voices that historically were overlooked are valued more and more. I have a deep respect for the Goldman Prize winners, and I know this will set a powerful example that inspires future generations of girls interested in changing our world for the better”
Freshman Quinn Patrick also shared her thoughts, “I love science and it is so cool to see that women are being recognized and celebrated in science. It is such an inspiration!”
This year’s winners are not only helping the environment, but they are also inspiring young girls around the world to get involved in science and activism. Their achievements show that anyone can make a difference and help create a better future for our planet.
