Growing up in Spain’s Mar Menor, Teresa Vicente enjoyed long days swimming in clear waters, holding seahorses, and partying under the moon. The lagoon was her magical escape.
The Crisis
Over the years, pollution from mining, development, and agriculture turned the once pristine waters into a graveyard. A massive fish die-off in 2019 pushed Teresa, a law professor, to take action.
Grassroots Effort
Teresa, now 61, led a grassroots campaign to save Mar Menor. Her efforts resulted in a 2022 law granting the lagoon legal rights for conservation and protection. This marked a major win for environmental protection.
Global Recognition
Teresa won the Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the “Green Nobel,” honoring grassroots environmental leaders. She views this recognition as a sign of a new era where humanity understands its role in nature.
The Journey
Teresa, originally from Murcia, Spain, was studying in England when the fish die-off happened. She drafted a bill for Mar Menor’s legal protection and, despite COVID-19 lockdowns, gathered nearly 640,000 signatures with the help of volunteers. The law passed in 2022.
Collective Success
Teresa believes success comes when people unite for a common cause, setting aside differences. The Goldman Prize, founded in 1989, recognizes ordinary people protecting the environment. This year’s winners include activists fighting deforestation, coal mines, and emissions worldwide.
Inspirational Activism
Michael Sutton, executive director of the Goldman Environmental Foundation, praised the winners for their relentless efforts against overwhelming odds. Teresa Vicente’s story is a powerful example of grassroots activism leading to significant environmental change.
