One of the most persistent, articulate and effective advocates for sustainable solutions to environmental problems will be honored Thursday in Pittsburgh with a prestigious Heinz Award.

K.C. Golden, policy director for Seattle-based Climate Solutions, a research and advocacy group, will be one of five honorees during the 18th awards program. The awards were started by Teresa Heinz to honor her late husband, U.S. Senator John Heinz.

Golden is familiar to many outside the environmental community because he has worked with businesses, communities and utilities to solve common problems. As noted in the announcement of his award, and its $250,000 unrestricted prize, he has “worked alongside Washington State Governors Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke to pass clean car and energy laws, as well as legislation to limit the state’s climate pollution and to train workers for energy jobs.”

Golden helped former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels develop and promote the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which was eventually adopted by more than 1,000 mayors in 37 states.

He has been an advocate for healing and protecting the earth, but his vision of sustainable prosperity is compelling to a broad cross-section of environmental, business and government leaders..