Prince William out to solve Earth’s problems

Prince William wants to ‘repair the Earth’ by ­announcing a new prestigious global environment award, the Earthshot Prize.

Prince William in London in November 21. Picture: AFP

Prince William wants to “repair the Earth’’ and spark 50 ambitious ideas over the next decade by ­announcing a new global environment award, the Earthshot Prize.

Inspired by the set of challenges that resulted in the 1969 moon landing, William said the Earthshot Prize “aims to generate new ways of thinking, as well as new technologies, systems, policies and solutions’’.

The concept is to inspire a decade of action to repair the planet and “reward progress across all sectors of industry and society”.

The Earthshot Prize is to be awarded 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 environmental challenges.

“The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irrepar­ably damage our planet or we ­remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and ­problem-solve,” William tweeted on Wednesday.

“People can achieve great things. The next 10 years present us with one of our greatest tests — a decade of action to repair the Earth.’’

Five people each year will win the prize at an annual ceremony between 2021 and 2030.

The project will be launched later this year, with challenges ­announced at events around the world.