The Sophie Prize is an annual international environment and development award established in 1997 by the Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder and his wife Siri Dannevig. It was named after Gaarder's novel Sophie's World. Past winners include Marina Osmarina da Silva of Brazil and Canbadian Intuit activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier. I'm pleased to say this year's Sophie Prize goes to ....
The Sophie Prize 2010 is awarded to American climate scientist Dr. James E. Hansen. He receives the award for his clear communication of the threat posed by climate change and for his genuine commitment to future generations.
Researchers that have warned against climate change have for many years had to endure great personal costs in the US. Still James Hansen has chosen to warn us against the threat of human-induced climate change. He is an example to follow. Hansen is the person that has made it impossible for us to tell our grandchildren that we did not know what we were doing ...
Dr. James Hansen is an outstanding NASA researcher with more scientific articles published and awards received than I could possibly list here. His profound concern for our environment led him out of the lab and into the fierce political fray over climate change where he has been routinely subjected to everything the fossil fuel industry can throw at him. Dr. Hansen's deep commitment to making the planet a better place, and the science that drove him, is brilliantly captured in his 2009 book STORMS OF MY GRANDCHILDREN, reviewed here on Daily Kos.
When asked by the Examiner to comment on the award, Hansen downplayed his achievement, noting that, "This may be an opportunity. It may be possible to get Norwegians to understand the situation. Norway and the United States are heavily involved in tar sands." He added, "I intend to give some talk(s) while over there that have a sufficient clarity that the implications cannot be overlooked. We need leadership from somewhere, anywhere, and Norway looks like a possibility."
Comments