Prince William, a grandson of the Queen and second in line to the throne, has recently announced the launch of a sustainability competition called the Earthshot Prize. Every year for the next ten years, five winners will be chosen and awarded for having the most exceptional solution to tackling the climate crisis. David Attenborough has hailed it as the “most prestigious environment prize in history.”
The goal of the Earthshot Prize is to provide the world with at least 50 new answers to some of the planet’s most significant environmental problems by 2030. Categories include finding ways to protect nature and biodiversity, addressing critical issues in the energy sector, and figuring out ways to clean up pollution from oceans, freshwater, and air. Winners will receive “a significant financial award.”
Prince William said the Earth was “at a tipping point” and faced a “stark choice.” He said:
The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. Remember the awe-inspiring civilizations that we have built, the life-saving technology we have created, the fact that we have put a man on the moon. People can achieve great things. The next 10 years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.
The prize was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot” lunar program. It’s backed by Sir David Attenborough and supported by over 60 organizations, conservation campaigners, groups, and scientists.
Attenborough said in a promotional video:
The spirit of the Moonshot can guide us today as we confront the serious challenges we face on Earth. This year Prince William and a global alliance launch the most prestigious environment prize in history… designed to motivate and inspire a new generation of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers to think differently.
The Earthshot Prize will begin in 2020 and be bestowed from 2021. It’s open to communities and businesses in addition to individuals. The press release said:
Submissions will be accepted from individuals, teams or collaborations — scientists, activists, economists, leaders, governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries – with a goal of sparking a global movement by inspiring collaborative projects that would not otherwise have been pursued.
The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — headed by Prince William and Kate Middleton – will initially handle the prize. Eventually, the Earthshot Prize will become its own organization.
