Food and Clean Water for Future Generations
Posted by Kath Delaney, Founder and Chief Executive Officer on April 20, 2008
“By loving the natural environment as we would a child, the environment will love and serve our children, producing food and clean water for future generations.”
— Feliciano dos Santos
Here in San Francisco we are fortunate to have the inspiring annual Goldman Environmental Awards. The financial prize increased this year to $150,000, which is a significant cash resource for the local activists from around the world. Many of the award recipients work tirelessly for relatively little compensation. The 2008 winners are from Mexico, Mozambique, Russia, Ecuador, Belgium, and Puerto Rico.
I was particularly moved by Feliciano dos Santos from Mozambique,
working on sustainable development issues through music-based outreach
about sanitation.
When Feliciano came on stage at the Opera House, he gave a moving speech about his work to educate local villagers about personal hygiene and sanitation, as Mozambique is prone to water borne illnesses. Feliciano was struck with polio as a child, so he knows the critical importance of public education. Feliciano sang for us his now famous song, “Wash your Hands.” As a result of incorporating hygiene messages in his music, people throughout Mozambique have begun to focus more on the country’s rural sanitation problems. You can watch a video profile about him here.
I hope you and your family will take sometime on Earth Day to make a commitment to action and environmental education. To learn more about the other Goldman Prize award winners click here.
It is hard to believe that this week is already the 38th anniversary of Earth Day. Once a marginalized holiday for those of us working within the environmental movement, it has now become a global emergency call to address climate change and numerous other environmental threats.
