Prince William launches new decade-long environmental initiative to 'repair' planet
Prince William has launched a new environmental prize in order to help “repair the planet”.
The second-in-line to the throne announced his latest initiative through a tweet on the official Kensington Palace account.
The announcement contained an inspiring quote from William, 37, where he claimed the “earth is at a tipping point” and we need to “remember our unique power as human beings...to lead, innovate and problem solve”.
Who is ready to lead as we make the 2020s a decade of action to repair our planet?
Introducing the @EarthshotPrize 🌍 pic.twitter.com/sYT5xBQ1Zo— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 31, 2019
It was accompanied by a promotional clip voiced by Sir David Attenborough, who has become renowned for his groundbreaking documentaries which warn of the effects of climate change.
It tagged a new Twitter account, @EarthshotPrize, to promote the scheme, and links to the official Earthshot website – which provides further details of the prize.
"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." — The Duke of Cambridge @EarthshotPrize pic.twitter.com/SfGaKY9qsG
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 31, 2019
"People can achieve great things. And the next ten years presents us with one of our greatest tests - a decade of change to repair the Earth,” reads a further quote from the royal on the newly-established website.
The prize will be awarded to five winners per year over the next decade, it explains, based on a series of challenges.
“These challenges will seek answers to the biggest issues currently facing the planet, including: climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and fresh water,” the site explains, with further details still to be announced.
The prizes will be awarded at an annual awards ceremony in different cities across the world between 2021 and 2030.
Prince William is following in the legacy of his younger brother, Prince Harry, with his eco-friendly initiative.
Earlier this year, Harry launched ecotravel platform Travalyst at a conference in Amsterdam.
The platform aims to tackle the environmental problems surrounding tourism and travel through a partnership between online travel companies.
But its launch came amid a summer of headlines criticising Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, for using private planes.
