Students Answer The Question 'What Can I Do About Climate Change?'
This year, The Earth Foundation's panel of distinguished judges will award one prize to each of seven regional winners in Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and Southeast Asia, Asia, and South and Central America. Each regional winner will receive a monetary prize and continued coaching and mentoring to help them commercialize their innovations.
Once the regional winners have been announced, a global winner will be determined by an online vote. Here is the link to cast your vote.
The European winner has already been announced: PURA, a two-person team that developed a household-sized wastewater purification device using a novel combination of photocatalysis and cold plasma technologies.
Team PURA is comprised of Tomáš Čermák (18) from Czechia and Anna Podmanická (19) from Slovakia. Anna had been researching using photocatalysis for water purification, while Tomáš was working on a way to use cold plasma to destroy pollutants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agricultural and hospital wastewater streams. They decided to combine their research to develop a unique solution to water quality issues exacerbated by climate change.
While photocatalysis and cold plasma solutions to water purification have been studied separately, PURA's innovative combination of these technologies is a pioneering advance. PURA has built two household-size prototypes that they hope to scale up into a new tool to fight antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization projects will cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
The North American winner will be announced today (Tuesday, April 8, 2025), followed by another regional winner each day until the end of the week. Once all regional winners are announced, the public will vote for the overall winner.
The regional winners are announced on this page.
Just as this article was going to print, the North American winner of The Earth Prize 2025 was announced! A team from New York City took the prize for an innovative packaging solution that reduces plastic packaging waste. North America's winning team, the StuyBigCompGroup is made up of three students, Zhi Han (Anthony), Flint, and James, from Stuyvesant High School.
I spoke with The Earth Foundation's founder, Peter McGarry, about the prize and was so impressed by his work that I volunteered to mentor next year's winners. McGarry felt so strongly about the need for productive action that he bootstrapped the organization himself—his enthusiasm is palpable and infectious.
If you are asking what you can do about climate change, take a page from Tomáš, Anna, Zhi Han, James, and Flint's playbook and lean into building creative solutions to help our civilization and our planet. Politicians come and go; our world needs practical, durable climate tech solutions!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US government pushes for 10% Intel stake amid US-China chip war
The US government could become the largest shareholder in Intel, one of the most important US technology companies, marking the first time Washington has sought ownership in a Silicon Valley icon. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday confirmed the US government is vying for a 10% stake in Intel, part of an unusual deal that would deepen the Trump administration's financial ties with the major chipmaker. The move comes weeks after US President Donald Trump called for Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign due to what he claimed was a conflict of interest. This allegation was linked to Tan's previous role as a venture capitalist in China. Although rare, it is not unprecedented for the US government to become a significant shareholder in a prominent company. One of the most notable instances occurred during the recession in 2008, when the government injected nearly $50 billion (€42.94bn) into General Motors in return for a roughly 60% stake in the automaker when it was on the verge of bankruptcy. At the time, even that bailout was seen as controversial despite GM's hardships because it was perceived as blurring the lines between state control and US free market principles. Unlike many European companies, US ones have insisted on a complete separation between government and private ownership of enterprises. The government ended up with a roughly $10bn (€8.6bn) loss after it sold its stock in GM. A misreading of the CHIPS act? Intel historically led the world in semiconductor production, tied in particular to PC production and Microsoft. When the iPhone launched in 2007, Intel-dominated PC chips nonetheless failed to win a foothold in smartphones and tablets. ARM-based chips, which are used by Apple and Samsung, became the mobile standard, leaving Intel stuck in the declining PC market. Intel has also lagged in the AI race, with their traditional central processing units not being well-suited for AI workloads. On the other hand, competitors like Nvidia have surged ahead. The CHIPS and Science Act, often referred to as just the CHIPS Act, was a bill passed in August 2022 by former US President Joe Biden in order to boost the local US semiconductor industry. COVID-19 supply chain disruptions and US–China tech tensions highlighted how dependent the US had become on foreign-made chips, not just for consumer electronics, but also defence, cars, AI and infrastructure. In November 2024, the US Department of Commerce finalised an agreement to grant Intel up to $7.86bn (€6.75bn) in direct funding through the CHIPS Act to support their semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging operations across Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio and Oregon. Related Japan's SoftBank continues US investment as it moves to gain 2% stake in chip maker Intel Trump reverses course on Intel CEO amid US-China chip showdown Intel was among the biggest beneficiaries of the program, but it hasn't been able to revive its fortunes while falling behind on construction projects spawned by the CHIPS program. The company has received about $2.2bn (€1.89bn) of the $7.8bn (€6.75bn) pledged under the incentives program — money that Lutnick derided as a 'giveaway' that would better serve US taxpayers if it is turned into Intel stock, which he said would be in the form of non-voting shares so the government wouldn't be able to use the stake to sway how the company is managed. 'We think America should get the benefit of the bargain,' Lutnick told CNBC as he explained why Trump is pushing for the deal. 'It's obvious that it's the right move to make.' The notion of the US government holding a huge stake in Intel would have seemed inconceivable back in the company's heyday when its processors were powering a personal computer boom that began in the mid-1970s. But Intel's ongoing struggles also means the US government is taking on a risky investment. Related Intel's stock tumbles after President Trump says its CEO must resign Intel announces more job cuts and drops projects in Europe in plan to save the company US government as biggest shareholder The US government's negotiations to become a major Intel shareholder are coming on the heels of a $2 billion (€1.7bn) investment Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group, disclosed late on Monday. SoftBank is accumulating its 2% stake in Intel at $23 (€19.70) per share — a slight discount from the stock's price when its investment was announced. Intel's shares surged nearly 7% to close at $25.31 (€21.74) on the news of SoftBank's big bet on Intel, coupled with Trump's plans for the company. SoftBank invests in an array of companies that it sees as holding long-term potential. It has been stepping up investments in the United States since Trump returned to the White House. In February, its chairman Masayoshi Son joined Trump, Sam Altman of OpenAI and Larry Ellison of Oracle in announcing a major investment of up to $500bn (€429.38bn) in a project to develop specific artificial intelligence infrastructure for OpenAI called Stargate. 'Semiconductors are the foundation of every industry," Son said in a statement. 'This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role.' Trump's interest in Intel is also being driven by his desire to boost chip production in the US, which has been a focal point of the trade war that he has been waging throughout the world since he returned to the White House earlier this year for his second term in office. 'We want Intel to be successful in America,' Lutnick said during his CNBC interview. Intel is valued at about $110bn (€94.4bn), meaning a 10% government stake would equate to roughly $11bn (€9.44bn) at current prices. Other major shareholders include Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street. A 10% US government stake would almost certainly vault Washington ahead of Vanguard as Intel's largest single shareholder, unless structured as non-voting shares outside the normal count.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Crypto Becomes an Integral Part of Sports: New B2BINPAY Report Reveals Growth and Trends
Rome, Italy, August 20th, 2025, FinanceWireB2BINPAY, the all-in-one crypto ecosystem for business, has published a new industry report, 'Crypto Becomes an Integral Part of Sports — Growth and Trends,' exploring how cryptocurrency is reshaping the global sports industry. Once considered a niche financial tool, cryptocurrency has become a driving force in sports. The report reveals that crypto's community-driven ethos mirrors football's global fan culture, making the two a natural fit. It traces the journey from early achievements, such as the first crypto-assisted player transfer in 2018, to landmark deals like São Paulo FC's $6 million USDC transfer in 2022. Sponsorships have grown rapidly, with global crypto sports sponsorship spending reaching $565 million in the 2024/25 season, 59% of which was driven by football, representing a 20% year-on-year increase. The report also explores how NFTs, fan tokens, and decentralized autonomous organizations are transforming fan engagement, giving supporters unprecedented access, influence, and exclusive experiences. Looking ahead, it predicts a rapid increase in crypto use for transfers and salaries, the rise of blockchain-powered football games that merge entertainment with decentralized finance, and deeper integration between sponsors and clubs that goes beyond logo placements. B2BINPAY's own partnership with Athletic Club is highlighted as an example of this trend. Renewed for the 2025 season, the collaboration reflects the shared values of innovation, community, and ambition that unite football and crypto. Athletic's direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League adds an exciting new chapter to the partnership's story. 'Football and crypto share the same DNA — community, innovation, and the will to break boundaries,' said Arthur Azizov, CEO of B2BINPAY. 'This report shows that what started as isolated experiments has grown into a global trend that's here to stay.' The full report is available now on B2BINPAY's official website. About B2BINPAY B2BINPAY is Europe's comprehensive crypto platform for businesses. As an all-in-one ecosystem, the company offers secure and advanced services for integrating cryptocurrency payments into daily operations. Supporting over 350 coins and the majority of blockchain networks, B2BINPAY processes billions in transactions annually. The platform operates fully under European regulations and adheres strictly to KYC and KYT protocols, ensuring safe and compliant operations.B2BINPAYmarketing@ Permalink | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved 擷取數據時發生錯誤 登入存取你的投資組合 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UK Bitcoin ETNs Could Be a Bigger Deal Than People Expect
After four years in the wilderness, bitcoin (BTC) exchange traded notes (ETN) are set to return to London and the change could prove more significant than many expect. Starting Oct. 8, crypto ETN products, which allow retail investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies without buying the tokens themselves, will become available after being banned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in January 2021. The regulators argued at the time that extreme volatility, susceptibility to fraud and the difficulty of valuation made them too risky for retail investors. But the ban also left the U.K. lagging behind developments elsewhere. The U.S. spot exchange-traded funds have been a resounding success, with more than $65 billion dollars flowing into bitcoin and ether (ETH) ETFs since their inception in January last year, data from SoSoValue show. European investors also have access to a range of exchange-traded products. U.K. investors were forced to look abroad for regulated exposure, often turning to Strategy (MSTR) stock as a proxy. 'The importance of bitcoin exchange traded notes coming to London is being underestimated,' Charlie Morris, the founder of digital asset investment firm ByteTree, said in an interview. 'London is the world's second-largest financial center, and many funds have touch points with London, whether it be custody, trading, legal or settlement." The ban, for example, locked products complying with UCITS, the European framework for regulated mutual funds and ETFs, from accessing crypto if they wanted to have contact with the London-based financial system. "This will change. Bitcoin is about to be opened up to the global fund market, and there will be legal clarity. This could be as important as the USA launches last year, and possibly more so over time. Sustained demand for bitcoin remains underpinned for years to come through exchange traded notes,' Morris said. The reversal signals a recalibration. Britain, once an early crypto hub with initiatives from then Chancellor Rishi Sunak and firms like Jersey-based CoinShares, is moving to reassert relevance. Industry figures such as former Chancellor George Osborne, who is now an adviser to Coinbase, have warned that London risks falling behind if it does not embrace innovation. 'The Financial Conduct Authority's reversal signals more than a rule change. It is a clear sign that the winds are shifting in the U.K.'s financial landscape, with policymakers now keen to keep the country relevant in a fast-evolving global market,' said Bitcoin OG Nicholas Gregory. Even so, the complex structure of the country's investment-advice industry may mean take up is slower than proponents assume, said Peter Lane, CEO of Jacobi Asset Management. Just because the products are legal, doesn't mean they will be offered to clients. "The U.K. adviser network is highly fragmented, with IFAs [independent financial advisers], restricted and tied advisers all operating under different models," he said. "It will take time for firms across these groups to evaluate the implications of the crypto ETN ban being lifted, assess suitability frameworks, and build the necessary due diligence processes before they are in a position to consider offering or recommending such products to clients.' UPDATE (Aug. 20, 07:48 UTC): Adds wider unbanning of crypto ETNs in second paragraph.
