Environment activist from Kenya wins Nobel Peace Prize

Wangari Maathai won this year's &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2000/10/09/152.html' target=_blank>Nobel Peace Prize for her work to protect the environment.

Maathai, 64, founded the Green Belt movement, which has planted 30 million trees since 1977, the broadcaster said.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which picks the winner of the peace prize, is set to announce the winner at 11 a.m. in Oslo. It wouldn't comment on the NRK report, said Toril Johansen, the secretary for the Nobel Institute, reports Bloomberg.

According to The Ledger, peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2003/02/03/42945.html' target=_blank>environment. Maathai stands at the front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and in Africa. She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women's rights in particular. She thinks globally and acts locally.

Maathai stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya. Her unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression - nationally and internationally. She has served as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights and has especially encouraged women to better their situation.

"I've just heard from the ambassador of Norway three minutes ago that I have won," Maathai, Kenya's assistant environment minister, told Reuters in Nairobi on Friday. "I am very excited. I really don't know what to say."

The official announcement was due to be made at 10 a.m. British time in Oslo. If confirmed, Maathai would win the prize, worth 10 million Swedish crowns (760,000 pounds), from a record field of 194 candidates.