The Earthshot Prize, started by Prince William in 2014, aims to find and scale up innovative solutions to the world’s environmental challenges. This year, five organizations from Asia were awarded the £1m prize. One of the winners, S4S Technologies from India, has developed simple metal dryers that help farmers process excess or lower quality crops into valuable products, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The Asia-Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with low-lying coastal cities facing flood and typhoon risks, extreme rainfall, and drought. However, the region is also home to many innovative solutions to address these challenges.
GRST, a Hong Kong-based organization, won in the “Clean Our Air” category. They have developed eco-friendly lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles, using water and water-soluble materials instead of emissions and toxic chemicals. This makes their batteries cleaner and more easily recyclable. Another winner, WildAid, is working with communities and governments to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems. They are also modifying fishing nets to prevent the capture and drowning of sea turtles. Boomitra, founded by Aadith Moorthy from India, works with farmers to improve agricultural practices and maximize crop diversity. Their goal is to expand their work to reach more farmers and land in order to have a greater impact on climate change.
The Earthshot Prize aims to inspire both action and hope in the climate space. The trustees and participants of the prize believe that the Asia-Pacific region leads the world into the future and has the potential to address environmental challenges in a timely manner. They hope that the Earthshot Prize will expand into a global movement, with governments becoming more engaged in green sectors to tackle climate change. The winners and finalists of the prize serve as reminders that innovation and the ability to inspire change exist all over the world.
In conclusion, the Earthshot Prize has recognized the innovative solutions coming from Asia to address environmental challenges. From simple metal dryers for farmers to eco-friendly batteries for electric vehicles, these solutions are making a positive impact on the planet. The hope is that the Earthshot Prize will continue to grow and inspire governments and individuals worldwide to take action against climate change.
Original news source: Earthshot Prize: Asia leads the way in quest to repair planet (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Students are divided into pairs. One student plays the role of a news reporter while the other is an expert on one of the winning organizations of the Earthshot Prize. The reporter asks questions about the organization’s work, its impact on climate change, and future goals. After a few minutes, students switch roles. This activity encourages speaking practice and requires students to use information from the article.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write several statements related to the article on the board (e.g., “Innovative technology is the key to combating climate change” or “The Asia-Pacific region is well-placed to lead global environmental efforts”). Students walk around the classroom and poll their classmates on whether they agree or disagree with the statements. Afterward, discuss the results as a class and encourage students to provide reasons for their opinions using information from the article.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide students into small groups and assign each group one of the innovations mentioned in the article (e.g., simple metal dryers, eco-friendly batteries, modified fishing nets). Without writing any words, students must draw a sketch to represent the innovation they’ve been assigned. The rest of the class must guess what the drawing represents. This activity encourages comprehension and creativity.
– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to write a catchy newspaper headline that could accompany the article. Encourage them to make it persuasive and attention-grabbing while also summarizing the main point of the article. Share the headlines and discuss which ones are most effective and why.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work in groups to discuss and predict the future impact of the Earthshot Prize and its winners. They should consider questions such as: How will these innovations change the way we address climate change? What other areas of environmental concern could benefit from similar innovations? Each group presents their predictions to the class, fostering discussion and use of the future tense in English.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the aim of the Earthshot Prize initiated by Prince William?
2. How do the metal dryers developed by S4S Technologies help in reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions?
3. What are some of the climate change challenges faced by the Asia-Pacific region?
4. What innovative technology has the Hong Kong-based organization GRST developed?
5. How is WildAid contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems?
6. What is the goal of Boomitra, and who is its founder?
7. What is the broader vision the trustees and participants have for the Earthshot Prize in the Asia-Pacific region?
8. How does the Earthshot Prize intend to inspire governments and individuals in addressing climate change?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The Earthshot Prize, started by Prince William in 2014, aims to find and scale up innovative solutions to the world’s environmental (1)______. This year, five organizations from Asia were awarded the £1m prize. One of the winners, S4S Technologies from India, has developed simple metal dryers that help (2)______ process excess or lower quality crops into valuable products, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The Asia-Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with low-lying (3)______ cities facing flood and typhoon risks, (4)______ rainfall, and drought. However, the region is also home to many innovative solutions to address these challenges.
GRST, a Hong Kong-based organization, won in the “Clean Our Air” category. They have developed eco-friendly lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles, using water and water-soluble (5)______ instead of emissions and toxic chemicals. This makes their batteries cleaner and more easily (6)______. Another winner, WildAid, is working with (7)______ and governments to combat illegal fishing and (8)______ marine ecosystems. They are also modifying fishing nets to prevent the capture and drowning of sea turtles. Boomitra, founded by Aadith Moorthy from India, works with farmers to improve agricultural practices and maximize crop diversity. Their goal is to expand their work to reach more farmers and land in order to have a greater impact on climate change.
The Earthshot Prize aims to inspire both action and hope in the climate space. The (9)______ and (10)______ of the prize believe that the Asia-Pacific (11)______ leads the world into the future and has the potential to address environmental challenges in a timely manner. They hope that the Earthshot Prize will expand into a global movement, with (12)______ becoming more engaged in green sectors to tackle (13)______ change. The winners and finalists of the prize serve as (14)______ that (15)______ and the ability to inspire change exist all over the world.
In conclusion, the Earthshot Prize has recognized the innovative solutions coming from Asia to address environmental challenges. From simple metal dryers for farmers to eco-friendly batteries for electric (16)______, these solutions are making a positive impact on the planet. The hope is that the Earthshot Prize will continue to grow and inspire governments and individuals worldwide to take action against climate change.
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Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is an example of an innovative solution to environmental challenges that you have encountered in your community?
2. How would you feel if an organization from your country won an international environmental award like the Earthshot Prize?
3. Do you think that prizes like the Earthshot Prize are effective in motivating people to work on environmental issues? Why or why not?
4. What is a significant environmental challenge faced by your region, and what steps do you think could be taken to address it?
5. Do you like the idea of using competitions to spur environmental innovation? Why or why not?
6. How do you think climate change will impact the Asia-Pacific region in the next decade?
7. What is your opinion on the role of electric vehicles in combating air pollution?
8. How would you feel about the use of technology to improve agricultural practices in your country?
9. Do you think that governments are doing enough to engage with green sectors and tackle climate change? Why or why not?
10. What is one action you could personally take to contribute to the fight against climate change?
11. How do you think the concept of recycling can be improved in your community?
12. Do you believe that community-based efforts to protect marine ecosystems can be successful? Why or why not?
13. In what ways do you think innovation can inspire change in other aspects of society?
14. Do you think that the Earthshot Prize should focus on a specific area of environmental challenges or continue to cover a broad range? Why?
15. How do you think recognition and financial support from prizes like the Earthshot Prize can affect the scalability of environmental solutions?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. Earthshot
2. Prince William
3. Asia
4. S4S Technologies
5. GRST
6. WildAid
7. Boomitra
8. climate change
Meanings:
(a) The continent where the five organizations are from
(b) An Indian organization that developed metal dryers for farmers
(c) The global issue that the Earthshot Prize aims to address
(d) An organization working to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems
(e) A Hong Kong-based organization that developed eco-friendly batteries
(f) The global environmental prize started by Prince William
(g) An organization working with farmers to improve agricultural practices
(h) The individual who initiated the Earthshot Prize
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Multiple Choice Questions:
1. When was the Earthshot Prize started?
(a) 2015
(b) 2016
(c) 2014
(d) 2017
2. Which organization from India won the Earthshot Prize?
(a) GRST
(b) S4S Technologies
(c) WildAid
(d) Boomitra
3. What is the focus of the “Clean Our Air” category of the Earthshot Prize?
(a) Protecting marine ecosystems
(b) Lithium-ion battery technology
(c) Improving agricultural practices
(d) Processing excess crops
4. What is the goal of Boomitra?
(a) To improve agricultural practices and maximize crop diversity
(b) To combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems
(c) To develop eco-friendly lithium-ion battery technology
(d) To process excess or lower quality crops into valuable products
5. What is the aim of the Earthshot Prize?
(a) To find and scale up innovative solutions to environmental challenges
(b) To combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems
(c) To inspire governments to engage in green sectors
(d) To expand into a global movement
6. Which region is particularly vulnerable to climate change?
(a) Europe
(b) North America
(c) Africa
(d) Asia-Pacific
7. What is the hope for the Earthshot Prize?
(a) To expand into a global movement
(b) To recognize innovative solutions from Asia
(c) To address environmental challenges in a timely manner
(d) To inspire governments and individuals worldwide to take action against climate change
8. What do the winners and finalists of the Earthshot Prize serve as?
(a) Examples of eco-friendly lithium-ion battery technology
(b) Solutions to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems
(c) Reminders that innovation and the ability to inspire change exist all over the world
(d) Simple metal dryers for farmers
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The Earthshot Prize was started by Prince William in 2014.
2. GRST developed environmentally harmful lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles.
3. S4S Technologies from India did not win any of the five £1m prizes.
4. The Earthshot Prize aims to discourage action and hope in the climate space.
5. S4S Technologies developed metal dryers to help farmers process excess or lower quality crops.
6. GRST, a Hong Kong-based organization, lost in the “Clean Our Air” category.
7. WildAid is working to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems.
8. The Asia-Pacific region is vulnerable to climate change due to flood and typhoon risks, extreme rainfall, and drought.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the primary objective of the Earthshot Prize initiated by Prince William?
2. How does the innovation by S4S Technologies help farmers and the environment?
3. What unique feature makes GRST’s lithium-ion battery technology eco-friendly?
4. Describe the approach WildAid is taking to protect marine ecosystems and prevent the accidental capture of sea turtles.
5. What is the broader vision for the Earthshot Prize in terms of its impact on global environmental policies and actions?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the aim of the Earthshot Prize initiated by Prince William?
The aim of the Earthshot Prize is to find and scale up innovative solutions to the world’s environmental challenges.
2. How do the metal dryers developed by S4S Technologies help in reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions?
The metal dryers help farmers process excess or lower quality crops into valuable products, thereby reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. What are some of the climate change challenges faced by the Asia-Pacific region?
The Asia-Pacific region faces climate change challenges such as low-lying coastal cities at risk of floods and typhoons, extreme rainfall, and drought.
4. What innovative technology has the Hong Kong-based organization GRST developed?
GRST has developed eco-friendly lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles that uses water and water-soluble materials instead of emissions and toxic chemicals.
5. How is WildAid contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems?
WildAid is working with communities and governments to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems, and they are modifying fishing nets to prevent the capture and drowning of sea turtles.
6. What is the goal of Boomitra, and who is its founder?
The goal of Boomitra, founded by Aadith Moorthy, is to work with farmers to improve agricultural practices and maximize crop diversity, aiming to expand their work to reach more farmers and land to have a greater impact on climate change.
7. What is the broader vision the trustees and participants have for the Earthshot Prize in the Asia-Pacific region?
The broader vision is for the Asia-Pacific region to lead the world into the future and to address environmental challenges in a timely manner, with the hope that the Earthshot Prize will expand into a global movement and inspire governments to become more engaged in green sectors to tackle climate change.
8. How does the Earthshot Prize intend to inspire governments and individuals in addressing climate change?
The Earthshot Prize intends to inspire action and hope in the climate space, showcasing winners and finalists as examples of innovation and the ability to inspire change worldwide, thereby motivating governments and individuals to take action against climate change.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) challenges
(2) farmers
(3) coastal
(4) extreme
(5) materials
(6) recyclable
(7) communities
(8) protect
(9) trustees
(10) participants
(11) region
(12) governments
(13) climate
(14) reminders
(15) innovation
(16) vehicles
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. Earthshot
Answer: (f) The global environmental prize started by Prince William
2. Prince William
Answer: (h) The individual who initiated the Earthshot Prize
3. Asia
Answer: (a) The continent where the five organizations are from
4. S4S Technologies
Answer: (b) An Indian organization that developed metal dryers for farmers
5. GRST
Answer: (e) A Hong Kong-based organization that developed eco-friendly batteries
6. WildAid
Answer: (d) An organization working to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems
7. Boomitra
Answer: (g) An organization working with farmers to improve agricultural practices
8. climate change
Answer: (c) The global issue that the Earthshot Prize aims to address
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. When was the Earthshot Prize started?
Answer: (c) 2014
2. Which organization from India won the Earthshot Prize?
Answer: (b) S4S Technologies
3. What is the focus of the “Clean Our Air” category of the Earthshot Prize?
Answer: (b) Lithium-ion battery technology
4. What is the goal of Boomitra?
Answer: (a) To improve agricultural practices and maximize crop diversity
5. What is the aim of the Earthshot Prize?
Answer: (a) To find and scale up innovative solutions to environmental challenges
6. Which region is particularly vulnerable to climate change?
Answer: (d) Asia-Pacific
7. What is the hope for the Earthshot Prize?
Answer: (d) To inspire governments and individuals worldwide to take action against climate change
8. What do the winners and finalists of the Earthshot Prize serve as?
Answer: (c) Reminders that innovation and the ability to inspire change exist all over the world
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The Earthshot Prize was started by Prince William in 2014. (Answer: True)
2. GRST developed environmentally harmful lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles. (Answer: False)
3. S4S Technologies from India did not win any of the five £1m prizes. (Answer: False)
4. The Earthshot Prize aims to discourage action and hope in the climate space. (Answer: False)
5. S4S Technologies developed metal dryers to help farmers process excess or lower quality crops. (Answer: True)
6. GRST, a Hong Kong-based organization, lost in the “Clean Our Air” category. (Answer: False)
7. WildAid is working to combat illegal fishing and protect marine ecosystems. (Answer: True)
8. The Asia-Pacific region is vulnerable to climate change due to flood and typhoon risks, extreme rainfall, and drought. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
