[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Mexican President Felipe Calderon, global music legend An-gélique Kidjo and adventurer Louis Palmer are among the six winners of the 2011 Champions of the Earth awards, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced on Tuesday.

They received their awards at a ceremony hosted by UNEP Goodwill Ambassadors Gisele Bündchen and Don Cheadle at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, along with fellow laureates green entrepreneur Zhang Yue and scientist and cam-paigner Dr. Olga Speranskaya.

From using green technology to cut air pollution in China, to tackling the impact of toxic chemicals in Eastern Europe or crossing the globe to fly the flag for solar power, this year’s Champions laureates are environmental leaders whose daily work, leadership and advocacy represent green innovation in action.

"The 2011 Champions of the Earth winners are inspirational examples of how people from all walks of life are coming up with exciting, innovative solutions to environ-mental challenges. Whether through their business ventures, leadership, campaigning efforts or passion for technology, they are real examples of the global transition towards a more sustainable Green Economy”, said UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Ex-ecutive Director Achim Steiner.

“As the world prepares for the UN Sustainable Development Conference in Rio de Ja-neiro next year, these five Champions of the Earth demonstrate how collective, positive action - from greener cars and air conditioning to tackling harmful pesticides or advo-cating for global action on carbon - can help tackle climate change and deliver environ-mental sustainability for communities and economies in all parts of the world”, added Mr. Steiner.

Launched in 2005, Champions of the Earth is the UN’s flagship environmental award. Since 2010, LG has been the program’s biggest corporate supporter and has contributed KRW 700 million annually to raise awareness of environmental issues at the regional and global levels and to help develop practical solutions.

“Champions of the Earth has special meaning to everyone at LG,” said Young-kee Kim, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics. “The very foundation of an assertive action to tackle important environmental issues can certainly be evidenced here today amongst the award laureates and environmental leaders whose passion, creativity, and dedication will pave the way for success as we strive to make the world a better place for all.”