There are three finalists in each of the prize’s 5 categories, Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. The winners—who will be announced in October—will each receive funds of $1.4m to help realize their innovative solutions to help tackle climate change. The prize received over 750 nominations. The Duke of Cambridge also penned an introduction to Earthshot: How to Save our Planet, a book published to coincide with the announcement of the longlist for the Earthshot Prize, in which he said he came up with an equation that could help solve the impending climate crisis: “urgency + optimism = action.” View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge) He also cited President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot program as an inspiration for the prize. “Kennedy’s Moonshot was a dream so ambitious it required unparalleled innovation and effort from a huge multinational team. When the Moonshot was accomplished, within the decade, it was a defining achievement in global history,” he wrote, adding, “It was an incredible demonstration of our talent for making the impossible possible.” William went on, “I wanted to recapture Kennedy’s Moonshot spirit of human ingenuity, purpose and optimism, and turn it with laser-sharp focus and urgency on to the most pressing challenge of our time—repairing our planet.” £50m ($69m) has been allocated to a decade’s worth of Earthshot prizes, with the duke determined to bring about lasting improvement to the planet by 2030. Jason Knauf, CEO of the Royal Foundation, told reporters, “The prince said, ‘What am I going to do in the next decade that means I can look my children in the eye and say that I did my bit during a moment in history when it really mattered?’” Below is the BBC’s list of the 15 finalists.
Protect and Restore Nature
Pole Pole Foundation, Democratic Republic of Congo A community-led model of conservation that protects gorillas and local livelihoods. The Republic of Costa Rica A scheme paying local citizens to restore natural ecosystems that has led to a revival of the rainforest. Restor, Switzerland An online platform connecting and empowering local conservation projects.
Clean our Air:
The Blue Map App, China China’s first public environmental database enabling citizens to hold polluters to account. Takachar, India A technology to create profitable products from agricultural waste and put a stop to the burning of crops. Vinisha Umashankar, India A 14-year-old innovator and activist who has designed a solar-powered ironing cart with the potential to improve air quality across India.
Revive our Oceans:
Coral Vita, Bahamas A coral farming project designed to restore the world’s dying coral reefs. Living Seawalls, Australia Innovative tiles attached to sea walls create habitats for marine life to attach to. Pristine Seas, US A global conservation programme protecting 6.5 million square km of the world’s ocean.
Build a Waste-Free World:
The City of Milan Food Waste Hubs, Italy A city-wide initiative that has dramatically cut waste while tackling hunger. Sanergy, Kenya A sanitation solution that converts human waste into safe products for local farmers. WOTA BOX, Japan A tiny water treatment plant that turns 98% of wastewater into clean water.
Fix our Climate:
AEM Electrolyser, Thailand/Germany/Italy An ingenious clean hydrogen fuel technology designed to transform how homes and buildings are powered. Reeddi Capsules, Nigeria Solar-powered energy capsules making electricity affordable and accessible in energy-poor communities. SOLbazaar, Bangladesh The world’s first peer-to-peer energy exchange network in a country on the front-line of climate change. Next up, Harry and Meghan Pose for the Cover of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2021 Issue!
