Marina Rikhvanova facts for kids
Marina Petrovna Rikhvanova is a Russian ecologist who works to protect nature. She leads an organization called Baikal Ecological Wave (BEW). This group helps keep Lake Baikal in Siberia safe from pollution. Lake Baikal holds the most fresh water in the world, and it's currently facing threats from factories and industries. In 2008, Marina Rikhvanova received the important Goldman Environmental Prize for her efforts.
Protecting Lake Baikal's Water
Marina Rikhvanova's concern for Lake Baikal began when she was in college. She wrote about the dangers from a pulp and paper mill in Baikalsk. This factory had been dumping harmful waste into the lake since the 1960s.
The Mill's Pollution Problem
The mill released thousands of tons of pollutants into the lake. These included chemicals like dioxin. Dioxin was even found in fish from Baikal and in the fat of Baikal seals. This showed how serious the pollution was.
Early Career and Environmental Work
From 1982 to 1990, Marina worked at the Institute of Biology. Then, from 1990 to 1993, she worked at the Limnological Institute. In 1993, she started and led projects for the Baikal Ecological Wave. These projects focused on teaching people about the environment. They also published a magazine called "Volna" and worked on ways to help the region grow without harming nature.
"Baikal is More Expensive Than Oil" Campaign
From 2002 to 2006, Marina coordinated a big international campaign. It was called "Baikal is more expensive than oil." This campaign helped stop a planned oil pipeline from being built too close to the lake. In 2006, after many protests, the pipeline's route was changed.
Winning the Goldman Prize
Because of her important work, Marina Rikhvanova received the Goldman Prize in 2008. She was recognized as a representative from Asia for her dedication to saving Lake Baikal. With the prize money, she supported nine projects in 2009. These projects helped people in Baikalsk start small businesses. This was especially helpful when the Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant closed for the first time.
Leading the Baikal Ecological Wave
In 1990, Marina Rikhvanova helped start the Baikal Ecological Wave. Her main goal was to stop the mill's pollution. She organized many activities to achieve this.
Organizing for Change
Marina led demonstrations, collected signatures for petitions, and held meetings. All these actions aimed to stop the mill from polluting Lake Baikal. Eventually, Russian officials ordered the Baikalsk plant to use a special water treatment system. This system stopped all wastewater from going into the lake.
Facing Challenges for Advocacy
Marina Rikhvanova has faced difficulties because of her strong environmental work. For example, police have searched her offices and taken her organization's computers. In 2008, a group of young people disrupted a camp she had organized. The camp was protesting a plan to build a uranium center near Angarsk, not far from Baikal.
Supporting Local Communities
From 2008 to 2014, Marina worked on projects to help communities around Lake Baikal. These projects focused on making towns like Baikalsk, Bolshoy, and Maly Goloustnoy more sustainable.
Eco-Consulting for Businesses
Since 2014, Marina has been an eco-consultant for businesses. She helps them use environmentally friendly practices. This includes improving how they manage waste and making their operations better for the environment and their finances.
