Concerned with Russian plans to route a major oil pipeline within 900 yards of pristine Lake Baikal, a woman led thousands of people into the streets; collected over 20,000 petition signatures; and summoned flash mobs to pass out cloudy bottles of water to raise awareness. The pipeline was subsequently rerouted and the woman today is in San Francisco to receive the 2008 Goldman Environmental Prize, along with 6 other activists. The Chrisitan Science Monitor tells Marina Rikhvanov’s story. (Thanks to Steve G. for submitting the link.)

Baikal, also known as the “Blue Eye of Siberia”,  is the world’s oldest and deepest — and largest — freshwater lake, home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world.

In a news conference today, the Dalai Lama discussed recently protests surrounding the Olympic Torch, urging supporters to keep the demonstrations peaceful, defending freedom of speech, and supporting China’s role as host of the Olympics. His values of compassion, tolerance, empathy and cooperation are in full view in this fascinating piece of tape.

“Raju’s life changed after he discovered an unlikely profession for a street child: banking. The 16-year-old boy started working for the Children’s Development Bank , a Bangladesh-based lender that is owned by a non-government organization and managed by street children. He now earns $30 a month and can save a portion of his income.” (Reuters-India)

“Canada will create a giant new national park covering some 1.9 million acres along one of the country’s most spectacular northern rivers, Environment Minister John Baird said on Monday.” (Reuters News has the story)