In autumn 2008, after a Greenpeace action to preserve the North Sea led to an uproar, Van Tongeren was in great demand. The media called on her to explain to a broad audience that the activists' method of placing boulders on the seabed to protect to sea nature was also used by governments for conservation purposes and safe for fishermen. After thirteen years of promises, the Greenpeace action prompted the Dutch government to begin setting up marine reserves.

In 2005, Van Tongeren sailed on the Greenpeace boat Esperanza, assisting with whale research near the Azores. "When I see these majestic animals with their young, I'm reminded again why I'm so committed to this type of work," she says. In her work for Greenpeace, she has joined volunteers, child protesters and campaigners in various activities. She has also convinced Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende to use low-energy bulbs in his office.

Van Tongeren is an enterprising type who combines idealism with business sense. She's also tenacious and committed. "Those are necessary qualities for achieving a green and peaceful world," she says. She earned a degree in international law from the University of Amsterdam in 1983 and went on to hold various directorial positions in her work on behalf of refugees, social equality and security, and peaceful conflict resolution.

"At Greenpeace, we work so that the western world will take measures to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent before 2050," Van Tongeren says. "The technology and solutions for clean energy exist, but the world needs real commitment to make a change."

Photo of Liesbeth van Tongeren

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A minute with a juror

Liesbeth shares her excitement