There are two notable recipients of this year’s Right Livelihood Foundation Award, often called the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize. David Suzuki was honoured for his work to raise awareness about environmental issues. He added that “it’s at the same time embarrassing that my country has been going backwards in terms of addressing the issue of climate change. That is so humiliating to me as a Canadian because I have always been very proud of Canada as a country that took international obligations seriously.”

Dr Alyn Ware of New Zealand, was also a recipient. He worked for years to obtain a ruling from the International Court of Justice on the illegality of nuclear weapons. Millions signed the “Declarations of Conscience” and the weapons were declared illegal except in the case of the very existence of a nation. He hopes to improve this.

Two speakers at our conference in September who have won this prestigious award were our own Dr. Rosalie Bertell and Mycle Schneider, international consultant on nuclear power.