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Sweden

King Carl Gustaf praises conservation work as he hands over the Stockholm Water Prize

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has presented the Stockholm Water Prize 2020 and 2021 at a digital ceremony.

The 2020 winner, John Cherry, was recognised for discoveries that have revolutionized how we view threats to groundwater. His research has raised awareness of the growing problem of polluted groundwater, leading to new, more effective solutions. The 2021 winner, Sandra Postel, was awarded the prize for her many years of pioneering work in increasing understanding of complex water issues. As a writer and educator, she has contributed to increased knowledge about the greatest challenges of our time and she has shown that if we want, we can find sustainable solutions for the future.

In his speech His Majesty the King said: “For 30 years, the Stockholm Water Prize, has honoured women, men and organizations for extraordinary water-related achievements. Through the years, I have had the privilege to present the prize to some of the world’s most renowned authorities on conservation and protection of water resources. And I am very proud to be the official patron of this prestigious award”.

The Swedish monarch continued: “Already in the 1970s, Dr Cherry raised the alarm that the world’s groundwater was becoming increasingly contaminated. His pioneering work has lead to a paradigm shift in groundwater research, as well as new solutions and concrete methods to monitor and control contaminated groundwater. One of the most encouraging trends in recent years is how more people seem to value nature and to see the importance of conservation. The 2021 Stockholm Water Prize laureate, Ms Sandra Postel, has greatly contributed to this”.

Presented annually since 1991, the Stockholm Water Prize is an award that recognizes outstanding achievements in water related activities. Over the past two decades, Stockholm Water Prize Laureates have come from across the world and represented a wide range of professions, disciplines and activities in the field of water. The Stockholm Water Prize Laureate is announced each 22 March at the UN World Day for Water and honoured each August during the World Water Week in Stockholm at a Royal Prize Ceremony and usually also a Banquet in the Stockholm City Hall.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.