Liesbeth van Tongeren studied Law at the VU University in Amsterdam and International Law at the University of Amsterdam between 1976 and 1983. Then she moved to Australia where she worked as a director of organisations that seek to assist the homeless and refugees. She also set up a shelter for abused women and a centre for peaceful conflict resolution.
On her return to the Netherlands Liesbeth worked for the province of North Holland and the municipality of Amsterdam. She then worked as the director of a women's shelter and a social security office in Purmerend. In 2003 Liesbeth took on the role of Director of the Dutch branch of Greenpeace. She was recognised for her work at Greenpeace with a mention in the 'Sustainable 100' list published in the Dutch newspaper Trouw. On 17 June 2010 Liesbeth was elected as a member of parliament for the Dutch Green Left party and is currently focusing on climate, energy and environmental issues.
"The future WILL be a renewable and clean future. Looking at the Green Challenge entries gives you a glimpse at what this future will look like. Lots of local and regional initiatives, a clear human touch and very smart use of technology.
It's like swimming in the ocean: You can turn your back on it, you can dip your toe in the water or you can plunge into the surf. Personally, I get a lot of energy from these plunging pioneers we need so badly!"
(Founder of Samasource, board member at OneLeap and TechSoup Global)
(Founder and CEO of OVG, the leading European re/developer in zero-carbon sustainable buildings)
(Chief Sustainability Officer for the IKEA Group)
(Executive Director & General Counsel of Rocky Mountain Institute)
(Chief operating officer and co-founder of The Climate Group)
Nick Christy (2011): Water Recycling Shower
Scot Frank (2010): SolSource
Dean Gregory (2009): RidgeBlade
Eben Bayer (2008): Ecovative
Igor Kluin (2007): Qurrent
