(1888PressRelease)
June 20, 2009 - SAN FRANCISCO – Today the Sierra Club announced the organization’s first ever “Green Energy & Green Livelihoods Achievement Award” winners for India. The new award recognizes community initiatives to promote green economic development, adaptation of renewable energy alternatives and organizational leadership in a grassroots environmental campaign.
The award represents Sierra Club’s growing interest in building international partnerships to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Two organizations share the award this year. Ecosphere Spiti, from mountainous Himachal Pradesh, has successfully created sustainable livelihoods linked to conservation and ecotourism. And the Barefoot College in Rajasthan, led by social entrepreneur Bunker Roy, has applied practical, traditional knowledge and community-owned sustainable technology to reach the poorest residents of the impoverished desert state. Each award comes with a Rs. 20 lakh gift and a trophy to be presented during a ceremony in Mumbai on July 30th.
The 117-year-old Sierra Club, best known for its dual focus of outdoor adventure and civic engagement, also announced a unique association with the legendary Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) based in Gujarat.
A ceremony for the award winners will be held at the Ravindra Natya Mandir auditorium in Mumbai on Thursday, July 30th. The Chief Guest will be Dr. B.L. Mungekar, a member of the Planning Commission of the Government of India. CNN/IBN Environmental Editor Bahar Dutt will be the guest emcee. The event is open to the public.
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