UN 2021 ‘Champions of the Earth’ Awards

Nairobi, 8 December 2021 (TDI): The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has selected all-female Champions for the United Nations Champions of the Earth awards.

The Champions of the Earth award selected all-female Champions for their leadership. These women have advanced bold actions on the planet on behalf of people. It includes a Caribbean-based Prime minister along with a scientist. Moreover, a group of indigenous women, and an entrepreneur. They were announced as 2021 winners of the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth awards.

Champions Of The Earth Award

The Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honor.

This year’s award recognizes laureates in four categories. For instance in Inspiration and Action, along with the Policy Leadership. Moreover, Entrepreneurial Vision and Science and Innovation were also in categories.

UNEP received a number of nominations from all around the globe. The Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen mentioned that all need to contribute. Everyone has global responsibility along with the opportunity to serve humanity. She also mentioned that women this year have inspired us. Moreover, they also remind us to avoid ecological collapse. The solutions to climate change are present in technology and knowledge.

Female Champion in the Policy Leadership Category

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley was honored in the Policy Leadership category. This award was given for her powerful voice for a sustainable world. Moreover, she raised concerns about the vulnerability of “Small Island Developing States”.

She emerged as a  “driving force” for climate action across the Latin American and Caribbean region. It is the first region to agree on the Action Plan for the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. Furthermore, under her leadership, Barbados has adopted renewable energy targets. For instance, it is committed to fossil-fuel-free electricity along with the transportation sector, by 2030.

Barbados is also implementing numerous conversation and restoration projects. Moreover, she also co-chairs the One Health Global Leaders’ Group on Antimicrobial Resistance.

The Sea Women of Melanesia in the Inspiration and Action category

The Sea Women of Melanesia was recognized in the Inspiration and Action category. They are From Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. This group trains local women to monitor the impact of widespread coral bleaching. Moreover, they also assess its impacts on the endangered reefs. They use marine science and technology.

Uganda female champion in the Science and Innovation category

Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, from Uganda, was given the honor in the Science and Innovation category. She is the first wildlife vegetarian of the Uganda wildlife authority. Moreover, she is a recognized world authority on primates and zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, she is the CEO and the co-founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).

Kyrgyz women in the Entrepreneurial Vision

Maria Kolesnikova, from the Kyrgyz Republic, was honored in the Entrepreneurial Vision category. She is an environmental activist. Moreover a youth advocate of Movegreen. It is an organization working to monitor air pollution. Moreover to improve air quality in central Asian regions.  The organization also developed an app AQ.kg. It collects real-time data. Consequently, it collects the concentrations of pollutants in the air from Bishkek and Osh. These are the two largest Kyrgyz cities.

UN’s 2021 ‘Champions of the Earth’ awards highlighted the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It will run until 2030, with the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

According to UNEP, the world can prevent endangered species by degrading the aquatic ecosystem along with the reversing of terrestrial. Moreover, there is a need of improving habitats.

Since its foundation in 2005, the Champions of the Earth award has distinguished 101 laureates. It includes 25 world leaders along with 62 individuals and 14 organizations.