Photographer James Balog (courtesy of Getting the Picture) chasing ice and surveying it- a hero from 2015

Being an environmental hero can mean putting your life on the line, taking risks that most of us fear (but admire) and getting things accomplished against the odds. Next week, we’ll start sharing with you the women and men who are pioneers in everything from space frontiers to dam busting. They are the very best of humanity.

Andre Bauma who is mother and father to four orphan gorillas. Photo courtesy of Getty– a 2015 hero

Dr Dee Boersma studying Magellenic chicks in Patagonia — one of our Environmental Heroes of 2014

[Our intro photo on our homepage is Dr Edward O Wilson – the ultimate enviro hero! Thanks to Piotr Nastrecki for the photo]

Come back  and be inspired by our heroes