Do you know there is something called Green Nobel Prize? Here’s a tweet posted couple of hours after the prize 2020 was given-
‘Winner Kristal Ambrose (The Bahamas, 2020) believes that, no matter one’s location, age, race, or gender, they deserve a voice in the fight for the environment.’
It was nearly 2013, Kristal Ambrose, a 22-year-girl in Bahamas, went on an expedition to see western garbage patch. How marine debris and lifestyle of the people by the sea-shore were destroying the home of sea lives and inhabitants caught her attention. This particular incident hurt her so deep and she vowed that day to not drop a single piece of plastic in the ocean, ever!
Ambrose knew that she alone cannot save those poor sea lives. Building up a great team by herself, she founded Ambrose school where she educates youth on plastic pollution and trains them to work for it. Ambrose met with the Environment Minister of the country and eventually, a law banning plastic usages was enacted this year. Not only Bahamas but also some of other Caribbean countries were inspired by this law. Now they are putting same restrictions in their places.
It is wonderful how a simple thought, a single step brought a great change. It took its time, but it wasn’t impossible. Kristal Ambrose came from the black race, she was not rich enough, but she had a sharp intention and a good heart.
Ambrose is one of the Goldman Prize Winners of 2020. This prize has been awarded since 1989 for environment saving contribution. Grassroots environmental activists from six major region- Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Central America and Island Nations are awarded every year.
The president of Goldman Environmental Foundation, John Goldman said in a statement – “Even in the face of an unending onslaught and destruction upon our natural world, there are countless individuals and communities fighting everyday to protect our planet. These are six of those environmental heroes, and they deserve the honor and recognition the prize offers them for taking a stand, risking their lives and livelihoods and inspiring us with real, lasting environmental progress.”
Goldman chose the perfect word, ‘Environmental Heroes’. Whereas some people love to pluck flowers, some other prefer planting more and more trees. The world must be lied on give and take. What nature gives us is immeasurable. But the question is, how much we think about them!
Here one thing is to mention that this Goldman Environmental Prize is also called Green Nobel Prize. Both awarding and achieving this prize deserve immense admiration. Thanks to Richard A. Goldman for such an encouragement!
Soureces: 1. The Guardian
2. The Goldman Prize. Org
3. gobalctizen. Org
4. ecowatch.com
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