UNEP 2022 ‘Champions of the Earth’ Award

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Champions of the Earth
The 2022 Champions of the Earth were revealed on Tuesday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Nairobi, 23 November 2022 (TDI): The 2022 Champions of the Earth were revealed on Tuesday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This award was based on innovative efforts to prevent, halt, or reverse ecosystem destruction.

The highest environmental honor awarded by the UN is the yearly Champions of the Earth award from UNEP. It honors people and groups from a variety of sectors.

These include people from civic society, academia, and the commercial sector, who are protecting our natural environment.

A conservationist, a sustainable waste management enterprise, an economist, a women’s rights activist, and a wildlife biologist were selected. Moreover, the winners were chosen out of around 2,200 nominations.

Inspiration and Action Category

The innovative environmental non-profit organization; Arcenciel was one of the winners. It received the honor of helping Lebanon manage its waste for twenty years.

Secondly, Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet was chosen. She is the President of the African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests and the Co-founder of Cameroon Ecology.

Her efforts to undo the harm done by clearing forests, draining wetlands, and polluting rivers at unsustainable rates have earned her recognition.

Also read: UN 2021 ‘Champions of the Earth’ Awards

Moreover, the Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos was founded in 2000 by scientist Constantino Aucca Chutas. In Peru, it has planted almost three million trees and safeguarded 30,000 hectares of land.

“We give something back to Mother Earth when we plant a tree” according to Aucca. “We are certain that the more trees we plant, the happier people will be” she added.

Entrepreneurial Vision Category

Furthermore, Purnima Devi Barman, the “Hargila Army’s” leader, and a wildlife biologist are also among the awardees.

The greater adjutant stork was saved from extinction by an all-female grassroots conservation initiative. It generates entrepreneurs, improves livelihoods, and gives thousands of women more freedom.

Science and Innovation Category

Lastly, Partha Dasgupta was also on the list of winners. He has made contributions to economics, educating people about the importance of conserving ecosystems and about nature.

Since it was established in 2005, the annual ‘Champions of the Earth’ award has recognized trailblazers for their protection of the natural environment. The award has honored 111 laureates, 26 global leaders, 69 individuals, and 16 organizations.