Asia Takes the Lead in the Earthshot Prize's Mission to Restore the Planet

Women in a village in Western India are using simple orange metal dryers to transform their lives. These dryers help farmers process excess or lower quality crops that would otherwise go to waste into valuable products that increase their profits. Around 400 villages have deployed these dryers, which are made by S4S Technologies, one of the winners of the Earthshot Prize. This £1 million award, initiated by Prince William in 2014, aims to find and scale up innovative solutions to global environmental challenges. S4S Technologies, along with women farmers, is creating a new food ecosystem that reduces wastage and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. Indian farmers, who face the impact of climate change daily, are not alone. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified the Asia-Pacific region as the most vulnerable to climate change, with 13 out of 30 countries on the continent facing significant fallout. However, the Asia-Pacific region is also home to innovation, with many individuals and communities addressing climate change challenges in their own areas. Various organizations, including GRST and WildAid, were also recognized at the Earthshot Prize. GRST, which produces eco-friendly lithium-ion batteries, plans to scale up its operations globally. WildAid works with communities and governments to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems. Boomitra, another Earthshot Prize winner, collaborates with farmers to improve agricultural practices. The hope is that the Earthshot Prize will expand into a global movement where governments actively engage in green sectors to address climate change more effectively.