Prince William of the United Kingdom embarked on a significant visit to Singapore to attend the annual Earthshot Prize ceremony, where he awarded 1 million pounds to each of five pioneering
individuals dedicated to environmental initiatives. The projects of these green innovators encompassed various endeavors, such as developing cleaner lithium-ion batteries and promoting ocean conservation.
At the ceremony held in Singapore, Prince William expressed optimism, stating, "The light of optimism is burning bright in our Earthshot finalists."
Among the distinguished winners was a visionary from Hong Kong working on creating cleaner and recyclable lithium-ion batteries for electric cars. Another recipient focused on enhancing marine enforcement efforts to combat illegal fishing and protect the world's oceans.
Chosen from a pool of over 1,300 nominees, the 15 finalists represented six continents and presented a diverse array of projects. These ranged from tree planting, growth, and digital tracking initiatives in Liberia to more environmentally sustainable methods for treating industrial wastewater.
This year marked a significant milestone as it was the first time the finalists were able to attend the awards ceremony in person, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.
Prince William, who assumed the role of heir to the British throne following the passing of Queen Elizabeth in September the previous year, established the Earthshot Prize in 2020. The name of the award draws inspiration from the ambitious "moonshot" project and goal set by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy during the 1969 moon landings.
During his four-day visit to Singapore, renowned for its eco-friendly initiatives, Prince William engaged with the local community to gain insights into the efforts of organizations striving to protect and restore the environment. Activities included addressing the illegal wildlife trade, safeguarding the rainforest, and fostering innovative solutions for ecological challenges, as revealed by Kensington Palace.
This visit marked Prince William's return to Singapore, his first since 2012 when he visited alongside his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales. Photo by Office of U.S. Ambassador to U.K., Wikimedia commons.