Pierce Brosnan honored for his environmental work

Tuesday, 8:27 PM EDT
Long Beach-area State Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a longtime advocate of environmental protection, will join actors Pierce Brosnan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and others in receiving a "Coastal Hero" award tonight in San Francisco. Lowenthal, whose 11 years
Long Beach-area State Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a longtime advocate of environmental protection, will join actors Pierce Brosnan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and others in receiving a "Coastal Hero" award tonight in San Francisco.
Lowenthal, whose 11 years in the state Legislature have been marked by progressive support for laws protecting California's coast, is also featured in the September issue of Sunset magazine, which lauds the Democrat as a "thoughtful, substantive legislator who commands the respect of his colleagues - especially when it comes to protecting" the environment.The awards are being presented by Sunset and the California Coastal Commission - the powerful agency responsible for protection of the state's public coastline and connected waterways.
Lowenthal has long been credited and criticized for his outspoken support of tough environmental laws and frequent clashes with industry. His previous efforts have helped slash emissions from trucks and ships, clean up rivers, prevent offshore drilling and reduce harbor pollution.He was also featured prominently in the award-winning 2006 documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?"In addition to recent awards from organizations like the Coalition for Clean Air and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Lowenthal received a 100 percent voting score from the California League of Conservation Voters in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2008.
Along with Lowenthal, actors Brosnan and Louis-Dreyfus, who are being honored for their work on behalf of California's marine ecology, honorees include: Professor Gary Griggs, UC Santa Cruz; Monterey Bay Aquarium Director Julie Packard; John Hanke of Google Earth; Serge Dedina, founder of environmental organization Wildcoast and Linda Sheehan, director of environmental alliance California Coastkeeper.