Von Hernandez is a former literature professor and environmental activist from the Philippines. He has spoken up against the processing of imported garbage, when waste incinerators

Incineration

Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...

 pump out clouds of dioxin and other harmful chemicals. The Philippines was the first nation in the world to ban waste incineration nationwide, in 1999.

Von Hernandez was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize

Goldman Environmental Prize

The Goldman Environmental Prize is a prize awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists, one from each of the world's six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. The prize includes a no-strings-attached award of...

 in 2003., and appeared on Time Magazine's list of "Heroes of the Environment

Heroes of the Environment

Heroes of the Environment is a list published in Time Magazine. The inaugural list was published in October 2007. The list contains 43 entries, individuals or groups that have contributed substantially to the preservation of environment, and is divided into four categories: Leaders & Visionaries,...

" October 2007.

Hernandez now works with Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Greenpeace Southeast Asia is the regional office of the global environmental organization Greenpeace.Greenpeace has run successful campaigns in the Philippines, Taiwan, India, Indonesia and Thailand, often working with other local environmental groups...

, serving as its Executive Director.