Ever had an idea to help the planet? What if that idea could turn into something real – something that actually makes a difference? That’s exactly what 17-year-old Ryan Honary has done.
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A Finalist of The Earth Prize 2024, Ryan just deployed his wildfire detection system, called SensoRy AI, in the city of Irvine, California. He worked with the local fire authority to help firefighters detect and stop wildfires before they spread. His AI-powered sensor can spot fires when they are as small as a square foot – giving firefighters an early warning before they spread and cause destruction.
Ryan was inspired to create SensoRy AI after the 2018 California wildfires, which destroyed some 18,000 homes. During the disaster, he struggled to contact his family and realized how important early detection can be. He took a heat detector from a fifth-grade project and started improving it – adding infrared sensors, a wireless network, AI, machine learning, and a smoke-detecting camera.
Now, SensoRy AI is being set up in high-risk areas in the city of Irvine’s open spaces, where dry plants and trees can fuel dangerous fires. The goal? To catch fires early enough to stop them from becoming disasters. Because it is low-cost and easy to install, SensoRy AI could be used in many other fire-prone areas around the world.
“One of the things about The Earth Prize is actually going for solutions rather than just speaking about them,” Ryan said as he described his experience being a finalist of The Earth Prize. “So that’s why I decided to apply. It’s really fun, there’s really nothing to lose, and being a part of it is super interesting. Especially once you get your name called as one of those last 10 finalists, it’s exciting.”
Ryan’s journey is just one example of how young people are coming up with solutions to help the planet. The Earth Prize is the world’s biggest environmental competition for 13- to 19-year-olds, helping students turn their ideas into real impact. Since 2021, over 15,000 students from 163 countries have taken part, receiving mentorship, learning resources, and over $500,000 in funding to develop their projects.
This isn’t just a competition – it is a launchpad for real change. Past winners have created projects such as:
Many of these ideas have gained global attention in news around the world, with some solutions already being developed for real-world use.
The next stage of The Earth Prize is coming soon. The top 35 Scholar teams have been selected, and from April 7-13, one winner from each continent will be announced. Then, the competition will open to a public vote, leading up to the biggest moment: the global winner will be crowned on April 22, Earth Day.
Want to be part of the next generation of changemakers? Follow The Earth Prize and consider applying next year!
More on the topic: 7 Interesting Wildfires Facts for Kids
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