SEACOLOGY PRIZE
Many foundations recognize exemplary achievements by scientists, educators, business leaders and other individuals who work towards conservation. Seacology has chosen to recognize heroic achievement by people who seldom receive any publicity: indigenous leaders who risk their own lives and wellbeing to protect their island's ecosystems and culture.
The Seacology Prize is underwritten by Ken Murdock, President of Seacology, in honor of his mother, Lalovi Fish Murdock.
2008 - Ómar Ragnarsson of Iceland:
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| 2008 Seacology Prize Recipient Ómar Ragnarsson receives the Prize trophy from Seacology Chairman Paul Cox. (Photo credit: Dadi Gudmundsson) |
Mr. Ómar Ragnarsson was awarded the 2008 Seacology Prize for his efforts to draw attention to massive dam projects taking place in the remote interior of his home island, Iceland. Mr. Ragnarsson received the $10,000 Prize on October 2, 2008 at a ceremony in San Francisco, California.
Through his reporting and independent filming, Ómar Ragnarsson has worked to raise public awareness of massive dam projects being undertaken in the remote interior of Iceland. A large US-based aluminum company persuaded Iceland to build major hydroelectric dams for the purpose of powering the transformation of bauxite into metallic aluminum. The bauxite will be shipped primarily from Australia, as Iceland is devoid of bauxite. Iceland’s first aluminum plant was built in the 1960s; there are now three, with plans for at least two more. Existing smelters rely on hydropower, but Iceland’s abundant geothermal features could also be exploited.
According to Mr. Ragnarsson, “I am very thankful if this prize can bring international attention to the immense value of Icelandic nature, one of the greatest wonders of the world, and let it be known what is at stake now when there are plans to build at least two new huge aluminum smelters in Iceland, that will together with three smelters that have already been built need all the geothermal and hydropower of this island, with huge and irreversible negative environmental impacts. I hope that this prize can help in the fight for preserving and protecting Icelandic natural treasures for future generations and the whole of mankind.”
