The following text has been adapted from a BBC News article by Justin Rowlatt, published on October 8th 2020: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54435638
‘Prince William and Sir David Attenborough have joined forces to launch what they hope will become the “Nobel Prize for environmentalism”.
‘They say the search is on for 50 solutions to the world’s gravest environmental problems by 2030. With £50m to be awarded over a decade, the “Earthshot Prize” is the biggest environmental prize ever.
‘The Prince said “positivity” had been missing from the climate debate – something the award could supply. “The Earthshot prize is really about harnessing that optimism and that urgency to find some of the world’s solutions to some of the greatest environmental problems,” he told the BBC.
‘Anyone could win, he explained, as he called for “amazing people” to create “brilliant innovative projects”. These, he said, could help save the planet.
‘”I feel right now it’s my responsibility”, Prince William said. The world is “at a tipping point”, explained the Prince, who said the Earthshot Prize is his and Sir David’s effort to ensure we hand the planet on to our children and grandchildren “in a better state than we found it.”
‘The Earthshot Prize will make five awards of £ 1million each year for 10 years. These “Earthshots” are intended as “universal goals to repair our planet by 2030” and will go to the best and most innovative ideas to help:
- Protect and restore nature
- Clean our air
- Revive our oceans
- Build a waste-free world
- Fix our climate