Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva has been named a recipient of the 2007 Champions of the Earth award, a United Nations prize to be given in April to seven individuals worldwide in recognition of environmental achievement. The award, which also is going to former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan and International Olympic Committee Chairman Jacques Rogge, comes at a time when Silva could use a political boost. Pro-development factions in the Brazilian government, frustrated by underwhelming economic growth, are pressing hard for quicker execution of a wide range of infrastructure projects from hydroelectric dams to ports. Silva, who insists such projects must be subject to full environmental review, has been portrayed by some top officials in the government... [Log in to read more]
