The Goldman Prize at 25 (03/06/14)
b"Since 1989, The Goldman Environmental Prize has honored more than 150 grassroots heroes who are fighting on the front lines to deliver clean water, clean air and preserve the world\\u2019s ecosystems. Brothers John and Douglas Goldman are carrying on the work of their parents, environmental activists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, who founded the prize. \\u201cMy mom was a recycler before the term was ever coined,\\u201d remembers John. \\u201cShe was far ahead of her time.\\u201d The most important impact of the award, says Douglas, is its role in spotlighting the often unrewarding work of environmental activism. John adds that there\\u2019s a common thread among the past winners: \\u201c[These are] individuals whose force of nature really made a difference, their impact was significant, and they may have had significant personal risk.\\u201d One of those people is Maria Gunnoe, who received the prize in 2009. Beginning with her successful effort to stop the coal industry from devastating the hollows of her native Appalachia, she has become a leading voice in the push to expose the environmental hazards of coal production. But, she says, she didn\\u2019t start out to be an activist. \\u201cI didn't really get into fighting the industry; the industry took me on,\\u201d she laughs. \\u201cThey challenged me and my love for my property.\\u201d Kimberly Wasserman\\u2019s battle to close toxin-spewing coal-fired power plants in southwest Chicago was an equally personal one. \\u201cFeeling the impacts that countless parents in our community feel, of having children with asthma, just triggered that voice in me to\\u2026want to do something about it,\\u201d says Wasserman, adding, \\u201cthere is no greater threat than a mom who's mad!\\u201d She was awarded the prize in 2013. Both women have continued to fight for clean air and water, and have even linked their causes together, stressing that, no matter which end of the coal conveyer belt your family is on, we\\u2019re all in this together. \\u201cEnvironmental impact doesn't just happen to any singular community,\\u201d says Wasserman. \\u201cIt's happening across the board to low-income people, and we need to be united and be coming together to fight this.\\u201d John Goldman, President, Goldman Environmental Foundation Douglas Goldman, Vice President, Goldman Environmental Foundation Maria Gunnoe, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner, 2009 Kimberly Wasserman, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner, 2013 This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on March 6, 2014\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices"