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Justin Trudeau awarded National Geographic's 'Planetary Leadership Award'

Canada's Prime Minister is being honoured for his leadership in the protection of Canada’s marine and terrestrial life.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
justin-trudeau-june-18-2020
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Today, the National Geographic Society announced that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been presented with its Planetary Leadership Award. 

The National Geographic Awards is one of the Society’s hallmark events, and each year it honours, "some of the world’s most innovative and inspiring trailblazers who have made astounding contributions to science, conservation, education, technology and storytelling."

This year, the annual festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the awards presentation was held online Thursday night.

"This year’s honorees are bold individuals with transformative ideas who have defined some of the critical challenges of our time, driven new knowledge, advanced cutting-edge solutions, and inspired transformative change," read a statement from National Geographic.

"Through challenges and adversity, they have led the charge to protect our planet for future generations and embody the Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world."

Nine individuals were recognized at the 2020 National Geographic Awards virtual event. They include:

  • The Hubbard Medal went to the late mathematician Katherine Johnson
  • The Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year went to engineer Corey Jaskolski
  • The Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Science Media went to photographer Erika Larsen
  • The further award went to documentary filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
  • The Gilbert M. Grosvenor Educator of the Year went to Jennifer Chavez-Miller
  • The National Geographic Society/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation went to Jeannie Raharimampionona and Angela Maldonado 
  • The Planetary Leadership Award went to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada's Prime Minister is being honoured for his leadership in the protection of Canada’s marine and terrestrial life.

"Under his leadership, Trudeau has increased Canada’s protected marine areas from less than one percent in 2015 to 14 percent today. Though the award is being given to the Prime Minister, it also recognizes Canada’s partnership with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Nunavut to invest almost $200 million to establish Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area," read a release.

"This transformative partnership with Indigenous peoples will help build a true conservation economy and protect over 425,000 square kilometres of ocean."

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Find out more, HERE.