Asia emerged as a highest prize receiver at Earthshot award 2023

The Earthshot award ceremony 2023 held on 13th November and was a star-studded event with the promotion of sustainable and progressive ideas to save our planet. First warded in 2021, it is a global environment award that presents the prize to five people each year for their contribution in conserving the environment. The plan is to run the award ceremony till 2030, annually. It is presented by Royal Foundation, a UK based independent charity that is formed for the prime reason to advocate against cruel nature of human beings towards planet earth. Attended by Prince William, and other famous personalities, it has big name trustees too behind it such as Jacinda Ardern, Chirstina Figueres, Jason Knauf, Jean Christophe Gray and others.
This year, winners from Asia hailed. S4S technologies based in India, won one of the prizes whereas Hong Kong based GRST won in the category of ‘Clean Our Air’. WildAid, US based organization won in the category of ‘Revive our oceans’, working with the communities to stop illegal fishing and protect ecosystems. Indian based, Boomitra won prize for its work in agricultural practices ‘by checking soil health and maximizing crop diversity’, mentioned in BBC report. BBC quoted Prince Williams, ‘Our winners and all our finalists remind us that, no matter where you are on our planet, the spirit of ingenuity, and the ability to inspire change, surrounds us all’.
Indian based environmentalist, Anita Singh talked about the requirements, changes to save the planet and Asia’s contribution on this huge crisis. She said, ‘It is essential to conduct and promote such ceremonies that not only revolves around famous personalities but also comes with an initiative of preserving environment and saving the earth. Influential personalities have power to shape the narrative accordingly and utilizing it for the betterment is a relevant approach everyone should consider.’ Furthermore, she added, ‘This awareness, of conducting environment friendly events and rewarding people who are involved in it, shows that people are being responsible here and not leaving it on administration to decide and call for an action. They are doing their part and are participating in this drive.’
Climate change is becoming visible more and more with years. According to World Meteorological Organization, The monthly global temperature record was once again smashed in October, continuing an extended streak of extraordinary land and ocean surface temperatures and low sea ice, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change service (C3S). October was the fifth month in a row of record-warm global temperatures.’ The change in temperatures, severe natural disasters, loss of species health risks, scarcity of food, poverty and displacement are some of the effects, we as a humankind are facing due to drastic change in climate and making the crisis worse. According to Anita, ‘We could feel the change around us. It is evident and dangerous. Rise in temperature every year, draught and floods across the world while less immunity in humans. October has recorded severe heat which is unusual. Everybody now is aware of the climate crisis and what it is leading to.’
According to the available statistics by DGB group, ‘Between 1990 and 2005, Asia lost approximately 40 million hectares of forest, representing a 12% decrease in forest cover. Deforestation is especially severe in Southeast Asia, home to nearly 15% of the world’s tropical forest. The region has the highest deforestation rate in the world, losing 1,2% of its forest annually. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have experienced significant deforestation.’ Anita told EAT news that Asia holds large part of environment and so does the threats that comes with it. Illegal fishing, trading of wildlife, forest fires are some of it. ‘With the responsibility of large hectares of forest area, Asia is facing challenge on how to regulate such activities. However, the current prize winners demonstrates that people in Asia are working on to save the planet by different ways. S4S Technologies are the great example of working in reducing poverty, gender inequality and food waste by helping smallholder female farmers preserve and market surplus produce. Similarly, Boomitra is also working for farmers, soil carbon marketplace for farmers and sustainable land management marketplace, as mentioned by Earthshot prize. Other winner is working for restoring forests and ecosystem’, she said.
Such organizations and actions is helping to create awareness around the world to be sensitive and to find alternate ways and replace the existing ones that are harming the ecosystem in specific ways, added Anita. It’s been three years, the Earthshot prize is being organized and facilitating winners, participants and finalists for their continuous contribution in saving the planet. According to the information, till now 15 winners have been announced and 45 were the finalists. Considering the unique of power humans have along with ability to lead, innovate and problem solving, President and founder Prince William’s foundation continues to inspire other environmentalist.