On Earth Day, our team took a much-needed break from work and enjoyed a picnic lunch at a local park in Berkeley, California. The working-day pause — on a day we celebrate this rich, beautiful, diverse planet we call home — had me reflecting on how the work of keeping Earth healthy and whole is a never-ending struggle, one where progress is mostly slow, and setbacks frequent. All the more reason then, to also celebrate those who keep at this work, pushing tirelessly against powerful, money-fueled headwinds to protect the lands and people they love.

The Goldman Environmental Prize does just that. Every year, it recognizes and fetes brave activists from around the world who have dedicated their lives to this cause, often at great personal cost. During these challenging times — when so many of our hard-fought climate, conservation, and social justice wins are under threat — it felt extra special that this year’s seven environmental heroes were celebrated in a packed Opera House in San Francisco on the evening before Earth Day.

This year’s recipients include:

• Batmunk Luvsandash, an electrical engineer from Mongolia who harnessed his nomadic herding upbringing and local knowledge to establish a 66,000-acre protected area for vital desert habitats.

• Carlos Mallo Molina, a civil engineer from the Canary Islands who helped save a 170,000-acre marine protected area in his country.

• Laurene Allen, a social worker from the United States who rallied to protect thousands of families affected by PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

• Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari, a veteran Indigenous activist from Peru who took on a landmark case to protect a river that serves as the lifeblood of the country’s tropical rainforests.

• Semia Gharbi, a scientist and educator from Tunisia who uncovered a corrupt waste trafficking scheme resulting in the return of 6,000 tons of household waste that had been illegally imported into the country.

• Besjana Guri and Olsi Nika, activists from Albania who used their complementary talents to safeguard one of the last remaining wild rivers in the region.

Each of these winners’ stories offer so much hope and inspiration. They remind us, as Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro, said in her welcome address at the ceremony: “No matter how big the fire there are helpers carrying people out of the burning buildings. That is the saving grace of humanity even in moments like this… Doing makes the difference. Actions breed more action. Helping creates more helpers.”

Thoughts to hold on to as we move through the coming months.

Photo courtesy of Goldman Environmental Prize

People-Powered Journalism

Our latest Terra Verde episode digs into the rising costs associated with climate change-turbocharged wildfires, how they are being passed on to taxpayers and ratepayers, and growing legislative efforts to make fossil fuel companies pay up instead.  ▶️ Listen now

Bending Elbows: Alcohol is known to help smooth over awkward party conversations and encourage group bonding. New footage of chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau sharing boozy fruit suggests that our closest cousins, too, are clued into the value of this social lubricant. (Smithsonian Magazine)

New Trail: Two teenage poachers and their booty of 5,000 ants reveal how a booming interest in ant-collecting has opened up a new frontier in illicit wildlife trade. (The Guardian)