Meet 19-year-old Gul Karen from Diyarbakir, Turkiye, a recent high school graduate and incoming Stanford freshman with numerous accolades like Rise Global Winner and Earth Prize Finalist. Passionate about social justice and equality, Gul collaborates with like-minded individuals to improve science access and address migration-related issues. She's particularly interested in neuroscience and AI, which she views as keys to understanding human interconnectedness. With her team, Hemi Change, she developed a biodegradable plastic to combat microplastic pollution. As she starts her academic journey at Stanford, join us to hear how Gul plans to use her education to drive impactful change.

In today's episode, we'll be speaking with the inspiring Lesein Mutunkei. At just 18 years old, this Kenyan high school student is not just skillful on the football pitch but is also making significant strides off it. After learning about deforestation and climate change at the age of 12 and drawing inspiration from the legendary Prof Wangari Maathai, Lesein found a unique way to marry his passion for football with his love for the environment. Through his "Trees For Goals'' initiative, Lesein pledges to plant 11 trees for every goal he scores, symbolizing the unity and contribution of his entire football team. With a remarkable tally of over 2000 trees in just two years, including a significant plantation in Karura Forest, Lesein and his Ligi Ndogo team are exemplifying how sports can become a driving force for positive change. Join us to hear Lesein's incredible journey and his vision for the future.

Today, we're excited to bring you an engaging conversation with Kareena Shah, a 17-year-old trailblazer from the U.S. As a student at The Knowledge Society, Kareena's passion for addressing global challenges shines through, especially when it comes to water accessibility and safety. Inspired by her experiences in Haryana, India, Kareena not only worked directly in marginalized communities to test for microbial contamination in drinking water but also took it upon herself to start the World Water Crisis Awareness Campaign. Eager to dive deeper and broaden her impact, Kareena launched the podcast, 'One Drop at A Time,' delving into the myriad reasons behind this pressing global crisis. She fervently believes in empowering everyone to champion change in their local communities, ensuring that water - our planet's most invaluable resource - is safe and accessible for all. Dive in with us as Kareena unravels her journey and the insights she's gleaned along the way.

On today's episode, we're diving deep with the innovative 18-year-old, Matteo Markel. A recent graduate of the International School of Zug and Luzern in Switzerland, Matteo has been drawn to the world of science and the potential of technology to address environmental challenges from his early years. A fervent advocate for carbon reduction and a believer in sustainable systems, he's been hands-on with the Aquaponics System at ISZL - a testament to the synergy between fish and plants in creating a sustainable ecosystem. Notably, in 2020, Matteo's vision and drive were recognized with a grant from the IB and the pioneering changemaker association, Ashoka. As he ardently aids ISZL in their quest for carbon neutrality by 2027, Matteo also eyes the future, keen on exploring the delicate dance between economic growth, social upliftment, and environmental preservation. Tune in to hear more about Matteo's journey and his dreams for a balanced world.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to feature Aarna Wadhawan in the first of many episodes on our Youth Board. At just 14, this Indian prodigy is fiercely advocating for environmental causes, including afforestation and combating various forms of pollution, while also championing girl child education. With a track record of planting over 7500 trees globally and distinctions as a 2x TEDx speaker and a voice at Josh Talks, Aarna's credentials are indeed impressive. Her collaborations with esteemed organizations like WWF India, TERI, and Global Resilience Partnership, along with her role as the youth ambassador for Project 100, are a testament to her dedication. The highlight of her journey so far? Being an Earth Prize Scholar 2022 for her ingenious creation, 'Ecosteria', a solar-powered UV lamp designed to bring sterilization solutions to electricity-scarce rural regions. Her efforts have even earned praise from India's Environment Minister. As Aarna looks forward, her mission is clear: to steer her peers towards sustainable practices and shape global mindsets. Join us to delve into Aarna's inspiring journey, her innovative solutions, and her vision for a greener tomorrow.🌱🎙️ 

Sabrina Zhang, Founder of AgriVision and runner up of The Earth Prize 2023, discusses her background, connection between food and sustainability, and her journey in developing Forage to detect malnutrition and diseases in crops. They also talk about the use of cameras and robotics in crop farming and the importance of combining business skills with environmental sustainability.

In the seventh episode, The Earth Prize team spoke to Team Delavo,  a group of four students from Bahçeşehir Koleji Fen ve Teknoloji Liseleri in southeastern Turkey, which on April 25th, 2023 were announced as the new winners of The Earth Prize competition. These four girls - Yagmur, Avjin, Damla, and Irmak - devised an impactful solution to an urgent environmental concern. They created "ECaundry," a device set to combat toxic wastewater from laundry machines. Their creation, equipped with ultrafiltration tubes and a carbon filter, recycles up to 90% of water used in laundry, addressing the serious issue of waterborne microplastics. Bound together not just by their shared mission but also by personal ties, with Yagmur and Irmak being siblings, their joint venture in The Earth Prize competition accentuates their dedication to both their community and global environmental challenges. Their vision extends beyond local boundaries, with hopes of their "ECaundry" system making waves in global markets, exemplifying the spirit of "solving the unthinkable."

In the sixth episode, The Earth Prize team spoke to Norman Crowley a serial entrepreneur, who founded and sold three businesses for over three-quarters of a billion dollars before the age of forty. He founded AVA in 2021, a company which transforms some of the world's most desirable classic cars to electric. AVA has assembled a team of accomplished engineers with a Formula 1 pedigree, who have spearheaded major automotive brands and contributed to the prototype design of groundbreaking supercars. Their collective expertise is unmatched in the industry. The primary objective of AVA is to create cars that not only boast the lowest carbon footprint on the road but are also manufactured with minimal impact on the environment. This commitment drives their pursuit of sustainable automotive solutions.Reviving large-scale car manufacturing in Ireland has been a rare endeavor since the closure of DeLorean in the 1980s. However, Norman, who hails from a location in close proximity to Henry Ford's birthplace, embraces challenges fearlessly. Norman's commitment to being part of the solution for global climate issues is unwavering. He fearlessly calls out those who contribute to the planet's deterioration or neglect their responsibility to drive necessary changes. Choosing to be part of the global climate solution instead of the problem, Norman is not afraid to call it as it is and identify those that are failing our planet or shirking their responsibility in making this required change. He believes sustainability as we know it is defined by the limits it places on our lives - having less, doing without, choosing a less convenient option.The Earth Foundation: https://www.earth-foundation.org/The Earth Prize: https://www.theearthprize.org/The Earth Prize Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theearthprize/?hl=enThe Earth Prize Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEarthPrize#The Earth Prize Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthPrize/The Earth Prize LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-earth-prize/The Earth Prize Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPxwI5N47VqpZjdGwcVemANorman Crowley: https://twitter.com/normancrowley1?lang=en

 Ethica Planet was set up to develop Vegan Foods and Sustainable Packaging. The company has dedicated its efforts to the development of eco-friendly packaging options using a diverse range of recyclable materials, including spent forestry waste, straw with mycelium, and recycled cardboard. Brendan Cleary, the visionary behind Ethica Planet, is deeply passionate about biodiversity and actively engaged in three rewilding projects. These initiatives aim to capture carbon emissions while simultaneously creating habitats for native plants and fauna, contributing to the preservation of ecosystems and the promotion of environmental sustainability.The Earth Foundation: https://www.earth-foundation.org/The Earth Prize: https://www.theearthprize.org/The Earth Prize Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theearthprize/?hl=enThe Earth Prize Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEarthPrize#The Earth Prize Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthPrize/The Earth Prize LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-earth-prize/The Earth Prize Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPxwI5N47VqpZjdGwcVemAEthica Planet: http://ethicaplanetfoods.com/Brendan Cleary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-cleary-967b4131/?originalSubdomain=ie

In the fourth episode, The Earth Prize team spoke to Nik Gowing Founder and Co-Director of Thinking the Unthinkable – an independent project helping leaders understand the threats and opportunities in the new era of radical uncertainty and disruption. In 2016 Nik co-authored (with TtU Co-Director Chris Langdon) the book “Thinking the Unthinkable”. Their work is based on hundreds of top level confidential interviews and conversations with corporate and public service leaders, plus hundreds more conversations with a new generation of aspiring leaders.Nik Gowing was a main presenter for the BBC’s international 24-hour news channel BBC World News 1996-2014. He presented 'The Hub with Nik Gowing', BBC World Debates, Dateline London, plus location coverage of major global stories. For 18 years he worked at ITN where he was bureau chief in Rome and Warsaw, and Diplomatic Editor for Channel Four News (1988-1996). He has been a member of the councils of Chatham House (1998–2004), the Royal United Services Institute (2005–present), and the Overseas Development Institute (2007-2014), the board of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy including vice chair (1996-2005), and the advisory council at Wilton Park (1998-2012 ). In 1994 he was a fellow at the Joan Shorenstein Barone Center in the J. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He was a board member for the Hay Literature Festival (2005-2018). He is currently on the festival’s foundation board. The Earth Foundation: https://www.earth-foundation.org/The Earth Prize: https://www.theearthprize.org/The Earth Prize Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theearthprize/?hl=enThe Earth Prize Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheEarthPrize#The Earth Prize Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthPrize/The Earth Prize LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-earth-prize/The Earth Prize Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPxwI5N47VqpZjdGwcVemANik Gowing's Thinking the Unthinkable: https://www.thinkunthink.org/