My Earth Day Heroines

Ten years ago when Julia Butterfly Hill was sitting up in that redwood tree called Luna for 738 days I must say she caught my attention. I along with many others worldwide became aware of the plight of our forests and we applauded her bravery and eloquent statements issued by radio from her perch. She was a beacon of inspiriation to me both for her passionate and determined efforts to save old growth redwoods but also for her courage to stand up against the huge forces that consume and destroy nature for economic gain. Read her amazing story in The Legacy of Luna

Wangari Maathai is a Nobel Peace prize winner and the founder of the Green Belt Movement. Having endured and overcome unspeakable hardships she tirelessly continued to plant trees and change many lives while saving Kenya's forests. You can read about her life and her organization through her book, Unbowed: A Memoir and The Green Belt Movement. Or look for the inspiring and award-winning documentary about her journey 'Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai on your local PBS station. I watched it just the other night and can see why it's been winning awards.
Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of the ocean -- and shocking stats about its rapid decline -- as she makes her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue heart of the planet.