Have you ever dreamed of making a real difference in the fight against climate change? The Earth Prize is your chance to turn those dreams into reality. This global competition is the world’s largest environmental contest for teenagers, having awarded $500,000 to the top teams and their schools for their groundbreaking, planet-saving ideas. Since 2021, it’s reached over 10,000 students across 154 countries and territories, spotlighting your potential to change the world.
The 2024 winning team, FloodGate, hails from the US and consists of students from North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. They created a revolutionary flood prediction and warning technology that can save hundreds of thousands of lives globally. Motivated by the frequent flooding in their state, they developed a solution that will soon be accessible as an app, helping governments, agencies, and individuals plan for flood events, reduce damage, and save lives.
Sumedh Kotrannavah, a 17-year-old from FloodGate, described the experience: “The opportunities you’re going to get from competing in this competition will drive your passion and your project to the next level. Our generation is starting to spark change and innovate new solutions.”
Imagine fighting single-use product waste with eco-friendly diapers! CocoMellow has designed innovative diapers made from coconut coir and banana fibers, paving the way for sustainable baby care products.
The Earth Prize 2024 Runner-Up ‘CocoMellow’ (Vietnam). From the left: Hwan Jung, Vi Phan, Duc Tran, and Nguyen (Candle) Le. Photo: The Earth Prize.
Using cutting-edge plasma technology, Ceres is protecting crops from climate-related damage, ensuring that food production remains stable despite environmental challenges.
The Earth Prize 2024 Runner-Up ‘Ceres’ (Türkiye). From the left: Mir Baran Esen, Beyza Kaya, Diyar Karabulut, Adar Ozalkak and Dilvin Laçin. Photo: The Earth Prize
Pebble is tackling energy consumption with pioneering software that pools computer power, making energy use more efficient and environmentally friendly.
The Earth Prize 2024 Runner-Up ‘Pebble’ (UK). From the left: Koza Kurumlu and Orlando White. Photo: The Earth Prize.
Started by The Earth Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Geneva (Switzerland), The Earth Prize empowers young people like you to tackle environmental challenges head-on. With climate change affecting our daily lives, this competition offers a path towards positive action. A recent study showed that 59% of young people are very or extremely worried about climate change, with over 45% saying it affects their daily life. By participating in The Earth Prize, you can channel those concerns into innovative solutions that make a real impact.
Peter McGarry, Founder of The Earth Foundation, remarked, “The Earth Prize provides a stage for innovative minds to demonstrate their creativity and the power of collaborative effort. Their solutions never cease to amaze me, and I hope they inspire you as well!”
Angela McCarthy, CEO of The Earth Foundation, highlighted the impact of your contributions: “The Earth Prize galvanizes the world’s youth to act positively on behalf of the environment. Your ideas can shape the future.”
Inspired? If you’re aged 13-19 and ready to make a difference, pre-register for The Earth Prize 2025. Your journey to saving the planet starts now!
Featured image: The Earth Prize Winning Team ‘FloodGate’ (US). From the left: George Cheng, Larry Myers (team supervisor), Reichen Schaller, Shubhan Bhattacharya and Sumedh Kotrannavar. Photo: The Earth Prize
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