UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has long been revered by many as a master diplomat, but now he's been recognized for another, less publicized role: International Eco-Warrior. Yesterday he was given the prestigious Zayed environmental award from the United Arab Emirates, with prize money totaling a whopping $1 million. Also sharing the limelight were the 1,360 scientists who helped prepare the UN’s Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

Launched in 2001 by Annan, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment represents perhaps the broadest inventory of the health of global ecosystems ever undertaken, exploring subjects including biological diversity, desertification, wetlands health, and climate change.

The jury who selected Annan for the prize called him the “one person [who] has done more than most to catalyse political and public opinion to an understanding that the environment is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.” Former recipients of the award include Jimmy Carter and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Photo credit: UN.org