It is refreshing to receive some good, substantial news that promises significant progress on the world environmental front. In fact, in today’s world, it is good to receive some good, substantial news that promises significant progress on any world front.
Prince William and Sir David Attenborough have launched what they call “Earthshot”.
“Earthshot” is a prize, rather like the Nobel Prizes. Five awards, each for one million pounds sterling, will be given each year for ten years.
“We hope that this “Earthshot” Prize reaches everyone around the world,” the Prince explained, “from communities, schools, right up to banks, governments, corporations – anyone and everyone is a part of this and anyone could find solutions that we need.”
Even suggestions that “may sound crackpot” are welcome, added Sir David, so long as they have the potential to make a difference on what he called “the world scale”.
The fact that the Prize is being launched by two of the most respected people in the world today, means it has a chance to succeed without the intervention of politics or corruption. They both have the standing and the integrity to ignore any such attempted interventions, and stick to their purpose. We, the people of Planet Earth, should be grateful and supportive.
Sir David’s long list of books and documentaries more than qualifies him as the world’s leading spokesman on the realities of environmental change – you could even call him the world’s conscience. His latest book and TV series are a stark reminder of the problem and the imminent necessity of solid, practical, solutions. Prince William has picked up the baton from his father, Price Charles, who has campaigned tirelessly all his life on the subject of the environment.
“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
The name “Earthshot” was chosen to echo the “Moonshot” program in the 1960’s that enabled the U.S. to put a man on the moon. “Moonshot” galvanized the whole world. Let’s hope “Earthshot” does the same thing, for all out sakes. As Sir David said,
“The need for action has never been more urgent.”
