The Gulbenkian Foundation has announced that the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), established in 1978 and comprising approximately 20 environmental organizations from 10 countries, exemplifies the importance of international collaboration, science-based advocacy, and ethical, sustainable environmental management for ensuring a sustainable future for humanity.
Based in Washington, ASOC was chosen by the award jury led by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel from 212 entities nominated by 115 countries.
ASOC Executive Director Claire Christian expressed to the Lusa news agency that “in a challenging time for environmental organization funding, the award will allow us to develop projects that previously lacked resources.”
“We will be able to expand our work to support projects like the creation of marine protected areas. We are attempting to have the countries governing Antarctica, through the Antarctic Treaty System, establish four large marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, which is part of the global ocean surrounding the polar continent.”
Antarctica contains about 90% of the world’s ice and roughly 70% of its freshwater. Meanwhile, the Southern Ocean generates the most powerful currents, which circulate global ocean waters, regulate the planet’s temperature, and distribute nutrients that sustain a biodiversity forming the basis of the entire marine food chain.
Despite its remoteness, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are among the Earth’s areas most vulnerable to climate change, experiencing extreme temperature anomalies, accelerated sea ice loss, and warming rates over twice the global average in some parts. Additionally, they face increasing human-related impacts, such as pollution from rising maritime traffic linked to fishing and tourism.
The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity was established in 2020 to recognize individuals or organizations worldwide whose work contributes to mitigating the impact of climate change.
The first edition honored Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, the 2021 prize was awarded to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, and the 2022 award went to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
In 2023, the prize recognized Bandi “Apai Janggut,” a traditional leader from Indonesia’s Dayak Iban Sungai Utik indigenous community, Cameroonian environmental activist Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet, and Brazilian activist Lélia Wanick Salgado, co-founder of Instituto Terra with acclaimed photographer Sebastião Salgado.
In 2024, the award was given to the Indian state program Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming, Indian-American scientist Rattan Lal whose work focuses on regenerative agriculture, and SEKEM, a platform of NGOs, companies, and a university dedicated to sustainable development.
