The Goldman Environmental Prize, widely known as the “Green Nobel,” has announced its 2026 recipients. For the first time since the prize was established in 1989, all six winners are women. They are Iroro Tanshi of Nigeria, Borim Kim of South Korea, Sarah Finch of the United Kingdom, Theonila Roka Matbob of Papua New Guinea, Yuvelis Morales Blanco of Colombia and Alannah Acaq Hurley of the United States. Hurley is the executive director of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay. She led a successful campaign against the Pebble Mine, a proposed gold and copper mine that would have required construction of a massive power plant, natural gas pipeline and huge, toxic tailing ponds.

Alannah Acaq Hurley: “This award honors all of us, those who stood against all odds, those who never wavered in speaking up against greed and destruction. It honors those who have shown up year after year, writing letters, testifying at hearings, protesting, and raising their kids to value people over profit.”