Ten years ago we launched the Observer Ethical Awards with the vague notion that a lot of good people were doing brilliant things to bring environmental and social justice to the UK and that should be celebrated. We also had a hunch that this was where the real change would come from – as opposed to waiting for government. A decade later these awards (sometimes gratifyingly called ‘the green oscars’) are rooted firmly in the annual events calendar and attract thousands of entries. Our alumni have achieved spectacular things, from changing conservation law to securing major funding for designs that will change the way we store clean energy. They have written books, set up brilliant businesses, taught thousands of kids how to be green and built houses from straw bales. I could not be prouder.
They all cite the Ethical Awards as a significant boost to their campaigns, which run from the domestic to the global. By nominating and voting in this year’s awards, you can help to boost more ethical warriors. We’re looking for unsung green heroes (often working away quietly and modestly for many years), to designers who can redefine ethical fashion through a piece for queen of the green carpet, Livia Firth to a new crop of Young Green Champions. For the first time, we join up with Bafta to find the greenest television or film production of the year.
This year our list of judges represents a sort of greatest hits from a decade of spectacular panellists who each year approach a difficult task with enthusiasm and amazing energy; spending hours at the Observer offices poring over entries and debating. Let’s make this year a record breaker, please nominate and vote as never before and make this a tenth birthday to remember.
