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Prince William Sparks Excitement with Earthshot Prize Finalists Announcement
In a move that has captured the attention of royal enthusiasts and environmental advocates alike, Prince William has officially unveiled the finalists for the 2022 Earthshot Prize.
This initiative, which aims to inspire groundbreaking solutions for environmental challenges, was launched back in October 2020.
Recently, the excitement reached new heights when the Kensington Royal Twitter account shared a charming video of the Prince in a garden, using his phone to connect with the finalists.
The short clip presents a casual yet engaging scene.
Prince William appears relaxed as he walks through the garden, but the real highlight comes when he reveals what he's up to on his mobile device.
The video features him adding the 15 finalists to a group chat, a modern twist that makes the announcement feel personal and interactive.
With a warm smile, he addresses the nominees, expressing his enthusiasm for their innovative projects selected from thousands of submissions.
“Hello Earthshot finalists for 2022,” he greets them in a selfie-style shot.
His words resonate with encouragement: “Great to have you on board, you're doing fantastic work, and I am really looking forward to Boston.” The finalists, a diverse group of changemakers, responded with gratitude, acknowledging the honor of being nominated for this prestigious environmental award.
The stakes are high, as the prize includes over $1 million and vital support to help scale their impactful solutions.
Just hours before the video release, the Earthshot Prize made headlines by announcing the contenders for this year's awards.
An impressive total of over 1,000 solutions were submitted, marking a significant 30% increase from the previous year.
The excitement culminates in a dazzling awards ceremony set to take place at the MGM Music Hall in Fenway, Boston, on December 2.
This event also marks Prince William and Kate Middleton's first visit to the United States in nearly a decade, adding to the anticipation surrounding the occasion.
In a statement shared with People, Prince William expressed his admiration for the 2022 Earthshot finalists.
He emphasized their dedication, stating that they embody a sense of optimism for the planet's future.
“They are directing their time, energy, and talent towards bold solutions,” he noted, highlighting their potential to tackle significant environmental challenges while fostering healthier communities for generations to come.
The Earthshot Prize aims to incentivize change across five critical categories: protecting and restoring nature, cleaning our air, reviving our oceans, building a waste-free world, and fixing our climate.
Among the finalists is Charlotte Magaie, founder and CEO of Mukuru Clean Stoves, who is vying for the Clean Our Air Prize.
She shared her excitement about making it this far, regardless of the outcome at the awards ceremony next month.
Magaie expressed her hope for victory but also recognized the invaluable platform the Earthshot Prize offers.
“Even if we do not win, the validation and the platform that Earthshot provides will attract the partners we've been seeking for years,” she remarked.
Her determination underscores the significance of this initiative, which seeks to amplify the voices of innovators committed to environmental change.
The Earthshot Prize draws inspiration from President John F. Kennedy's historic moonshot mission, which aimed to land a man on the moon.
This ambitious vision resonates with Prince William's goal of inspiring environmental change over the next decade.
He believes that with a sense of “optimistic urgency,” human ingenuity can lead to a cleaner and safer planet by 2030.
As the countdown to the awards ceremony continues, the excitement surrounding the Earthshot Prize grows.