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Repairing the Planet

INSPIRING IDEAS Prince William speaks at the Earthshot Prize ceremony, in London, on October 17. YUI MOK—WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES

On October 17, the winners of the first annual Earthshot Prize were announced in London, England. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is a founder of the award. His aim is to inspire new ideas and technologies for helping the environment and fighting climate change.

“We need everyone­, from all parts of society, to raise their ambition and unite in repairing our planet,” William says.

Each of the five winning groups will receive about $1.4 million to expand on its idea. The winners include the government of Costa Rica. It’s paying citizens to restore local ecosystems. Milan, Italy, was recognized for reducing food waste. Coral farms in the Bahamas won for their work restoring reefs.

Other winners developed technologies. A group in India invented a machine that creates fuel and fertilizer from farming waste. And a group based in Europe and Asia created a device that uses emissions-free hydrogen. This can power buildings and heat homes.

The Earthshot Prize will be given every year until 2030. “The actions we choose or choose not to take in the next 10 years will determine the fate of the planet for the next thousand,” William says. “The future is ours to determine.”

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