Prince William is using his royal voice to address the threats facing our planet. In a video shared on social media and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Prince William announced that he will award five prizes each year between 2020 and 2030 to “individuals, teams, or collaborations — scientists, activists, economists, leaders, governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries — anyone who is making a substantial development or outstanding contribution to solving our environmental challenges.”
Prince William Announces Prizes for Solutions to Climate Change
The Earthshot Prize, announced on December 31, aims to reward 50 solutions to environmental issues such as “climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and freshwater” that Prince William has dubbed the “world’s greatest problems.” In 2020, the first set of specific challenges will be announced to mark the official kick-off to the contest.
The name “Earthshot” was inspired by former US President John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot,” a concept that sparked a decade (the 1960s) of technological innovations that eventually led to the 1969 moon landing. Prince William hopes that Earthshot will create a wave of ambition and innovation to help save the planet.
The prize will be funded by Kensington Palace along with various philanthropic donors and organizations.