Giving Compass' Take:

• Here is a list of seven advocates that have stood up for our planet this year in various ways, pushing environmental activism forward.

• How is your charitable giving supporting environmental advocates and activism? What opportunities can you participate in that will contribute to a healthier planet?

• Learn more about how donors can address environmental issues.

From teenagers to octogenarians, students to superstars, Eco-Business’ pick of individuals who stood up for the planet this year shows the variety of actions people can take for the causes they believe in.

  1. Antonio Guterres, high-level campaigner: The United Nations secretary-general has been calling all year for world leaders to step up their climate commitments.
  2. Greta Thunberg and youth protestors: If Thunberg received 10 cents each time her name has been mentioned this year, she would have amassed a sizeable cash pot to make a dent in the climate change fight.
  3. SG Climate Rally organisers: Singapore’s youth activists made history this year by organising the island-state’s first climate rally, which saw nearly 2,000 people showing up.
  4. Golfrid Siregar, environmental warrior: Indonesian lawyer and environmental activist Golfrid Siregar — whose sudden death this year sparked calls for an investigation — had fought a hydropower project in North Sumatra that may threaten the only known habitat of the Tapanuli orang utan.
  5. Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, snow leopard protector: Agvaantseren won the Goldman Environmental Prize this year for her efforts to protect the habitat of snow leopards. She was one of six awardees and the only one from Asia.
  6. Toni Doherty, koala rescuer: Besides brave firefighters who battled Australia’s devastating bushfires, a grandmother also won praise for rescuing a koala bear from the flames in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, last month.
  7. Coldplay and other eco-conscious celebrities: The British band released its new album, Everyday Life, last month and announced that it would not be going on tour for the album due to environmental concerns.

Read the full article about people who stood up for the planet this year by Neo Chai Chin at Eco-Business.