Can innovation save the planet? Earthshot champions "groundbreaking solutions" to environmental problems. But as leaders meet for climate talks, scientists say time is running out.
Prince names finalists of £1m climate prize
Can innovation save the planet? Earthshot champions "groundbreaking solutions" to environmental problems. But as leaders meet for climate talks, scientists say time is running out.
Fresh thinking
Bubbles that remove plastic from rivers. Flowers recycled to make leather. A plan to turn CO2 into rock. Carbon-zero concrete and seaweed packaging.
These are some of the bright ideas shortlisted for this year's Earthshot Prize. The winners will be announced next month in five categories: protect and restore nature, clean our air, revive our oceans, build a waste-free world, and fix our climate.
The prize is inspired by US president JF Kennedy's 1962 "moonshot". He promised to put people on the moon by the end of the decade. Earthshot is awarding £50m over ten years for creative solutions to Earth's greatest problems.
Each year, we dump eight million tonnes of plastic into the ocean.1 We put over 30 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Without action at the COP27The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP). talks in Egypt, the UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns, "we will be doomed". But Prince William says these 15 projects are "reasons to be optimistic".
His hopeful words come after a UN report said we will miss the target of keeping global warming below 1.5C of pre-industrial levels. We are "very close to irreversible changes", says scientist Johan Rockstrom.
Ecologist Roland Geyer argues the solution is "unavoidable": ban fossil fuelsFuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.. Other scientists say governments should investPut money into. in existing technology: public transport, home insulation and meat-free protein.
So is the Earthshot a waste of money? Prince William says the finalists are "leaders and visionaries" using their "time, energy, and talent" to save the planet.
For example, Amsterdam plans to be the world's first city where nothing is wasted and everything is recycled. "We need to redesign the way we work, live and consume", says programme manager Rene Koop.
Last year, David AttenboroughAn English broadcaster and natural historian known for his wildlife documentaries. said: "It's too late to avoid climate change." The crisis is already here. But that does not mean it is too late to act.
Global temperatures have risen 1.2C in the last 200 years. A UN report found that 2C would be much worse than 1.5C. So anything we can do to limit global warming will help save the world.
On 16 July 1969, humans first walked on the moon. There will be no exact moment to call Earthshot a success. But scientists say we are in the "decisive decade" when ideas must be put into action.
Yes: The Royal Society supported the innovation that created the Industrial RevolutionA period of sudden, rapid industrialisation that transforms a country from an agricultural to an industrial economy.. We need a new age of invention to start a green revolution.
No: The problem is simple: we are addicted to fossil fuels. We must change how we live now and not wait for science to save us from ourselves.
Or... Simply, we do not know. To innovate is to take risks, explore the unknown and be ready to fail. Many ideas will go nowhere, but one invention might change everything.
Can innovation save the planet?
Keywords
COP27 - The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Invest - Put money into.
David Attenborough - An English broadcaster and natural historian known for his wildlife documentaries.
Industrial Revolution - A period of sudden, rapid industrialisation that transforms a country from an agricultural to an industrial economy.
Prince names finalists of £1m climate prize
Glossary
COP27 - The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the Conference of the Parties (COP).
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Invest - Put money into.
David Attenborough - An English broadcaster and natural historian known for his wildlife documentaries.
Industrial Revolution - A period of sudden, rapid industrialisation that transforms a country from an agricultural to an industrial economy.