The world’s top prize for grassroots activism – the Goldman Environmental Foundation Prize – announced seven winners including six women. The foundation’s award for 2018 has honored women activism for protecting the environment. 

The winners are Khanh Nguy Thi, Vietnam; Manny Calonzo, the Philippines; LeeAnne Walters, the United States; Francia Márquez, Colombia; Claire Nouvian, France; Makoma Lekalakala and Liz McDaid, South Africa.

Khanh Nguy Thi has been recognized for using scientific arguments to convince Vietnam’s government to adopt greener fuel for the power sector. She advocated reduced dependency on coal power for Power Development Plan 2030. Khanh initiated work with colleagues and government officials to develop an alternative, greener energy plan. As a result of her activism, the government has included wind, solar and biomass as a part of the project. 

Manny Calonzo exposed the dangerous level of lead content in paint sold in the Philippines. His organization, EcoWaste, highlighted the harmful effect of lead on children and launched a campaign for a policy change. The government decided to establish a mandatory maximum limit of 90 parts per million for the lead in paint. Last year the country's paint industry was certified as “lead-safe.”

Makoma Lekalakala and Liz McDaid built a broad coalition to stop South Africa’s massive nuclear deal with Russia. Their work resulted in a landmark legal victory against the secret 76-billion-US-dollar deal, protecting South Africa from lifetimes of nuclear waste.

Claire Nouvian campaigned against the use of bottom trawls for deep sea fishing. Her study found that bottom trawling is unsustainable and massively damaging the marine ecosystem. The trawl uses giant fishing nets that drag along the seafloor and catch a significant amount of fish. Claire launched a campaign to seek a complete ban on the use of deep-sea bottom trawling. Her efforts resulted in the European Union banning the practice.

Francia Márquez, a leader in the Afro-Colombian community, brought rampant illegal gold mining in the region to a standstill. She organized a women’s march in 2014 covering a distance of 350 km to raise awareness about the environmental destruction caused by illegal gold mining. The massive campaign resulted in control of mining activities that had been destroying the livelihood and natural resources of the region.  

LeeAnne Walters, a homemaker, organized a citizens’ movement after testing the tap water in Flint, Michigan, US. She exposed high lead content in the supplied water, compelling the local, state and federal governments to take action to ensure access to clean drinking water.

The winners will be awarded the prize during a ceremony on Wednesday at the San Francisco Opera House.

[Top Image: Goldman Environmental Foundation Prize winners (L to R) Makoma Lekalakala, Francia Márquez, Khanh Nguy Thi, LeeAnne Walters, Claire Nouvian and Manny Calonzo]