Vandana Shiva

A pioneering environmental activist and scholar who revolutionized sustainable agriculture and global eco-feminism.

Vandana Shiva, born in 1952 in Dehradun, India, is a world-renowned environmental activist, physicist, and advocate for biodiversity. Her work has fundamentally challenged industrial agriculture and globalized food systems, making her a pivotal figure in the fight for ecological sustainability and social justice.

Shiva founded Navdanya, a movement promoting seed sovereignty and organic farming, which has trained over 500,000 farmers in sustainable practices. Her opposition to patent laws on seeds and genetically modified crops has highlighted the exploitation of traditional knowledge by corporations. Through her books, such as Staying Alive and Soil Not Oil, she argues that ecological destruction disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities, framing her activism within eco-feminist principles.

Her influence extends globally, advising organizations like the UN and leading protests against agrochemical giants. Shiva’s critique of Green Revolution policies in India reshaped debates on food security, emphasizing biodiversity over monocultures. By linking environmentalism with gender and economic equity, she redefined modern ecological movements.