US biologist Gretchen Daily on Thursday accepted the annual Sophie Prize for her "radical and constructive involvement" in efforts to prevent the extinction of plants and animals, according to dpa. Norwegian Environment and International Development Minister Erik Solheim handed over the prize worth 100,000 dollars. Solheim has said Daily was a bridge builder between "theory and praxis." Daily, professor at Stanford University in California, was the 11th winner of the prize created 1997 by Norwegian best-selling author Jostein Gaarder and his wife Siri Dannevig. Born 1964, Daily has been compared to Rachel Carson who wrote a groundbreaking book Silent Spring (1962) that inspired many environmentalists. The jury cited Daily for being a "visionary and focused on finding practical solutions," noting that she has for instance proposed using "market forces in the fight against the loss of biological diversity and destruction of our ecosystems." Solutions include awarding local communities for taking care of natural resources or to promote ecotourism. During her visit to Norway, Daily was slated to visit the Arctic island group of Svalbard, off northern Norway. Last year, the prize was given to former Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson. The 2004 winner was environmentalist and politician Wangari Maathai of Kenya, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Gaarder's 1991 novel, Sophie's World, about the history of philosophy unexpectedly became an international best-seller. The book has been translated into some 50 languages, and has been adapted as a film, a musical, and a board game.
