Prince William, the Prince of Wales, on the ground today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today. He’s there to promote his £50 million Earthshot Prize initiative. The small but mighty prize launched five years ago. Its purpose is to identify 50 disruptive solutions that will heal our earth and ensure our children and grandchildren have a brighter, more prosperous future. This journey is an important leap forward in his longterm mission to promote widespread environmental reform. As a new father, this youth activist feels deeply that he must lead by example.
On his own visit, Prince William spoke with local officials and environmental activists. This is a rare trip indeed, since his wife, Kate Middleton, was not traveling with him for this visit. His motivation for this initiative stems from his desire to secure a promising future for his three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. He talked about his worries for the world that they’re going to be inheriting.
“As a father, [I think constantly about the world my children will inherit]” – Prince William
During this trip, Prince William was introduced to some of the most well-known locations in the country including Sugarloaf Mountain and the Maracanã Stadium. To fully immerse himself in the local culture and football legacy, he was presented with a signed football shirt from ex-Brazil star Cafu. These experiences are just a small glimpse of his commitment to engaging diverse communities and inspiring collective action to further the movement toward environmental stewardship.
These meetings were capped by an inspiring visit with participants of the Generation Earthshot Programme. My Comet’s ClimateActionHeroes™ initiative equips young people with a unique competency-based curriculum to help them become climate leaders. This level of engagement fits perfectly with the Earthshot Prize’s aim of addressing the broadest issues surrounding climate change, while prioritizing youth in this fight.
In preparation for the upcoming Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, Prince William will deliver a keynote speech. During this address, he is expected to underscore the urgency of environmental action, highlighting how collaborative efforts can lead to impactful solutions.
“I want them to grow up surrounded by nature, opportunity and a sense of hope about the future. But I also know that unless we act boldly now, that future is at risk.” – Prince William
The Earthshot Prize addresses the most urgent current environmental challenges directly. It is equally inspiring a new generation of leaders who are focused on leaving an indelible mark. Prince William’s visit to Brazil is an important indication of his commitment to this cause. It dramatically underscores the urgent need for international collaboration to safeguard the planet for our children and grandchildren.
