The Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto
What is the Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto?
The Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto is an award to honor in perpetuity the achievements of those who have contributed to conservation of the global environment. It is given in the name of Kyoto, the birthplace of the Kyoto Protocol.
We hope to contribute to the efforts and shared purpose of all people, regions, and countries dedicated to solving our planet’s environmental problems by sending a message from Kyoto to the rest of the world at this commendation ceremony, which is to be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center, the very same venue as the Third Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3).
Organized by the Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto Management Council
(Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japanese Ministry of the Environment, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, International Institute for Advanced Studies, and the Kyoto International Conference Center)
The First Inductees into the Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto
１ Gro Harlem Brundtland（Born in 1939） Norway
Dr. Brundtland was the chairperson of the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development, whose 1987 report, “Our Common Future,” advocated the concept of sustainable development, greatly contributing to the formation of many current international environmental conservation policies.
Former chairperson for the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) and former Prime Minster of Norway
２ Syukuro Manabe （Born in 1931）
Dr. Manabe developed the general circulation model of the coupled ocean-atmosphere model and applied them for studying climate change. Currently, his modeling approach is used as a prototype for the projection of global warming that has been conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Global Climate Change. Through his pioneering studies of climate, he has made great contribution to Earth Science.
Senior Meteorologist at Princeton University and honorary member of Japan Academy
３ Wangari Maathai （Born in 1940） Kenya
Dr. Maathai was impressed by the Japanese word ""mottainai"" (respect for the inherent value in all things) when she visited Kyoto in February 2005 to attend an event commemorating the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. She later spread the use of the concept as an environmental keyword. Her various activities have greatly contributed to the promotion of coexistence with the environment and the implementation of environmental preservation activities. 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
Former Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kenya
The Second Inductees into the Earth Hall of Fame Kyoto
１ Elinor Ostrom (Born in 1933) USA
She proved that management of communal resources is most effective when it is not carried out solely by market forces or government intervention, but instead, when a community with vested interests in the resource plays a complementary management role. She showed that group management of the commons (communal resources) is an important step in bringing about solutions to environmental problems. Received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics.
Professor at Indiana University
２ His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk (Born in 1955) Kingdom of Bhutan
In the 1980s, he proposed the concept of Gross National Happiness, stressing a “better way of life” respecting both culture and nature. This concept caused a stir in our modernized world, which overvalues convenience and material wealth, and spread environmental consciousness globally.
Fourth King of the Kingdom of Bhutan
３ Masazumi Harada (Born in 1934) Japan
With his thoroughly hands-on approach, he has carried out social medical research on environmental pollution issues beginning with Minamata disease. His results have been used in investigations of arsenic poisoning, mercury pollution, etc. all over the world. Through his revolutionary academic research he has made major contributions to solving global environmental problems.
Former Professor at Kumamoto Gakuen University