Press Release
June 26, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 26, 2014) – The California League of Conservation Voters—the nonpartisan political action arm of California’s environmental movement—will honor four of California’s leading environmental champions at its annual Environmental Leadership Awards at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco tonight.
“CLCV is thrilled to honor these four extraordinary environmental heroes, whose commitment to protecting and promoting California’s environment, the health of our families, and clean energy leadership is an inspiration to all of us,” said CLCV chief executive officer Sarah Rose.
CLCV will award California Congressman George Miller its Byron Sher Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of the legendary California lawmaker.
“This award means a lot to me: Thank you Byron Sher for all that you have done, and thank you to CLCV for honoring me with this tribute. Thank you for staying in the vanguard of environmental policy-making,” said Congressman Miller. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but we have to renew this critically important operation every day. We need constant input on the ground, in campaigns, education and advocacy, to stand up for the historic hallmarks of the environmental movement.”
CLCV will honor three other outstanding environmental champions with Environmental Leadership Awards: Arno Harris, CEO & Chairman of Recurrent Energy, one of North America’s leading solar project development companies; Susan Frank, CLCV Board member and President & COO of the Better World Group, a leader in political and environmental strategy; and California-based New America Media, the first and largest national collaboration of ethnic news organizations.
“I’m honored to receive this award from the California League of Conservation Voters,” said Harris. “They recognize that passionate advocacy for solutions to climate change must be backed up with pragmatic, real-world actions in order to protect California’s environment and future generations. Together, we’ll work to make sure California continues to lead the nation in moving into a cleaner energy future.”
“I’m beyond overwhelmed by this recognition,” said Susan Frank. “Thank you to CLCV and all of the many California organizations, businesses, and individuals who fight the good fight for the health of our families, our environment, and California’s clean energy economy every day—you inspire me.”
Accepting on behalf of New America Media is Executive Editor and Director Sandy Close, who said, “We’re honored by our partnership with the California League of Conservation Voters, first with our collaborative training project for ethnic media on environmental issues, and now with this recognition.”
“This is a particularly important time in our state’s history to recognize the contributions of phenomenal environmental leaders like those we honor tonight, and make sure the next generation knows they, too, can make a difference,” said CLCV President and Board Chair, Rick Zbur. “Climate change in particular is a challenge we face together. We must believe in our collective power to raise our voices, elect the best environment champions, work toward solutions and ultimately protect and preserve our environment and our communities.”
More information about the event, including biographies of all of the honorees, can be found online at http://www.ecovote.org/awards.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
