As the New Year began in the pacific, the Duke of Cambridge unveiled a major global project to reward individuals and organisations working to save our planet.
The 'Earthshot Prize' is a multi-million pound initiative which challenges the world's problem-solvers over the next decade to find solutions to some of our biggest environmental problems.
Every year, for the next ten years, the prize will be awarded to five winners working on solutions for problems involving climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and fresh water. Prince William hopes Earthshot will inspire collaborative projects, sparking a global movement that encourages governments, businesses and communities to priorities environmental issues.
"The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice," he said, "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 ..."
Sir David Attenborough, who narrated a short film, which was used to announce the project on social media, said the global prize has been designed, "... to motivate and inspire a new generation of thinkers, leaders and dreamers to think differently; visionaries rewarded over the next decade for responding to the great challenges of our time."
Earthshot has been developed over the past year in consultation with over 60 organisations and individual experts and it's name was inspired by the 1969 moon landing - the realisation of a ground-breaking ambitious goal, known as 'moonshot' which also led to new technology such as the MRI scanner and satellite dishes. The prize will reward progress across all sectors and could go to scientists, activists, economists, leaders, banks, governments, businesses, cities and even entire countries.
For more information click here and watch the film below:-