The Eco Hero Award celebrates the extraordinary work of dedicated conservationists and environmentalists from across the world, whose work and lives might otherwise go unnoticed outside their fields. Eco Heroes have been nominated by Fair Earth Foundation supporters, as individuals who have inspired them or helped them to make a difference, in the world in environmental or species conservation.
We also recognise that education is the most important factor in the development of one's personality. Education helps people of various ages and social standing to find out about values, motivation, skills and responsibility regarding maintaining the quality of the environment and human health. Good teachers not only build specialists, but shape people and for this reason, their role is critical in the future safeguarding of the natural world and humanity.
We want to thank our award winners for their dedication and for the example they provide to others, now and for generations to come.
We also recognise that education is the most important factor in the development of one's personality. Education helps people of various ages and social standing to find out about values, motivation, skills and responsibility regarding maintaining the quality of the environment and human health. Good teachers not only build specialists, but shape people and for this reason, their role is critical in the future safeguarding of the natural world and humanity.
We want to thank our award winners for their dedication and for the example they provide to others, now and for generations to come.
ric o'barry
|
Richard (Ric) O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project has worked on both sides of the captive dolphin issue, for the first 10 years, within the dolphin captivity industry, and for the past 48, against it.
In the 1960s, O’Barry was employed by the Miami Seaquarium, where he captured and trained dolphins, including the five dolphins who played the role of Flipper in the popular American TV series of the same name. He also trained Hugo, the first orca kept in captivity east of the Mississippi. When Kathy, the dolphin who played Flipper most of the time died in his arms, O’Barry realized that capturing dolphins and training them to perform silly tricks is simply wrong. From that moment on, O’Barry knew what he must do with his life. On the first Earth Day, 1970, he launched a searing campaign against the multi-billion dollar dolphin captivity industry, and the Dolphin Project was born and over the past 47 years, Ric O’Barry has rescued and rehabilitated dolphins in many countries around the world, including Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, South Korea, the Bahamas Islands and the United States. He is a leading voice in the fight to end brutal dolphin hunts in Japan, Solomon Islands, Faroe Islands, Indonesia and wherever else they occur. O’Barry has been recognized by many national and international entities for his dedicated efforts, such as being voted Huffington Post’s 2010 Most Influential Green Game Changer, and being listed on O Magazine’s 2010 Power List – “Men We Admire for his “Power of Passion.” His book “Behind the Dolphin Smile” was published in 1989; a second book, “To Free A Dolphin” was published in September 2000. Both are about his work and dedication. He is the star of the Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove” and the Animal Planet television series “Blood Dolphin$.” |
|
joanna toole
|
A British national, brought up in Exmouth Devon, Joanna had been living in Rome with partner Paul and working on the issue of marine debris for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. On 7th March 2019 she was travelling to Nairobi Kenya to participate in the United Nations Environment Assembly where she was to direct an event titled Sea-based Sources of Marine Litter.
Joanna was one of 157 passengers and crew who died when Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashed shortly after take off from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa airport on 10th March this year. In a condolence letter to her father, Antόnio Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN said: “As a champion of animal welfare and the conservation of wildlife, she faithfully reflected the values and principles of the United Nations making an important contribution for the responsible stewardship of our planet through her work.” Joanna had been approaching the conclusion of a course at Rome’s LUMSA university, which has awarded her, posthumously, the degree of Master In Management of Sustainable Development Goals. Joanna’s Father Adrian said: “The past seven months have been so empty for her family but it is heartening to know that her life’s mission is recognised. Friends and family will continue her work through the Joanna Toole Foundation and this Eco-hero award has encouraged us in our efforts.” The Award was collected on behalf of Joanna by members of her family (Pictured). |
|
angela slocumbe
|
Angela has been the the Creative Director of Glorious Backstage Arts for 22 years. Glorious
Backstage Arts specialises in combined arts and events. She produces and delivers themed workshops, volunteer placements and work experience opportunities for teenagers and young adults. Since 1998, in her role as ‘Band Leader’ she has produced a masquerade float and mobile sound system as part of GBA’s annual Notting Hill Carnival parade programme. The GBA team now helps young people seeking work experience in music technology, fine art, set design, choreography, dance, costume making, photography and video production. GBA work in partnership with organisations such as SOAPBox Islington, Inspire Education Business Partnership and Vinspired the UK’s leading youth volunteering charity. Universities and schools worked with include La Sainte Union, City & Islington College and Huddersfield University. |
|