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GIVING IT HIS BEST SHOT

GIBSON JOINS THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE COMMITTEE

By Samantha Magick with the Earthshot Prize, Gibson found himself taking a call
with Prince William to discuss climate change. His appoint-
Ernest Gibson wondered if it was a hoax when he was first ment to the Council, alongside young German climate activist
contacted about joining the Earthshot Prize Council as the Luisa Neubauer, was announced this month.
invitation came completely out of the blue. Given the diversity and experience of his fellow Council
The Council, which includes Prince William, Queen Rania Al members, Gibson says he hopes to bring a level of equity to
Abdullah of Jordan, Brazilian footballer Dani Alves, naturalist the process.
Sir David Attenborough, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, Colombian “When we’re making decisions about how to award solu-
singer Shakira, and Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming, has tions, it needs to be done in a way that is mindful of the fact
the task of choosing the final winners of The Earthshot Prize. that some countries have a population of 10,000 people and
That prize is a global environmental award which aims to some countries have a population of one billion, and to ensure
discover and scale solutions to the world’s biggest environ- that there is a level of equity when we’re awarding prizes,
mental challenges around waste, oceans, air pollution, nature that it’s not just about the sheer number of people that can
and climate. Five prizes will be awarded each year for the benefit from something but also, the impact itself.”
next 10 years. As with all his work in climate advocacy, Gibson is
After a series of consultations clear he will not be co-opted into playing the role of

20 Islands Business, May 2021