Robert Irwin shares his environmental ideals with Prince William.Photo:Jono Searle/Getty; Chris Jackson/Getty
Jono Searle/Getty; Chris Jackson/Getty
As the latest winners of 41-year-old William’sEarthshot Prizeare unveiled today, Tuesday, Irwin says he “is a real beacon to everyone in the conservation field.”
“It’s hard to put into words just how massive Earthshot is for wildlife conservation, for climate action, for the world. For Prince William, who has such a great platform, to lend his voice, his resources into creating positive change is such a refreshing, wonderful thing to see. I applaud what he is doing,” he tells PEOPLE.
Prince William in Singapore on Monday.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The conservationist is in Singapore to present an award at the third annual ceremony that rewards innovative ideas attempting to counter the world’s environmental challenges.
“I have dedicated my life to wildlife conservation. I share that with Prince WIlliam and I admire him greatly. He is certainly someone I look up to and I hope I can create the same sort of change that he does. He is a real beacon to everyone in the conservation field," Irwin says.
Robert Irwin, right, and his late father Steve.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Marc Grimwade/WireImage
Robert Irwin and his girlfriend Rorie Buckey arrive at the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Singapore on Tuesday.MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty
MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty
“Earthshot exemplifies everything we are trying to achieve on such a massive scale. We have been doing all this for years. Now, for Earthshot Prize to come along, that takes all of these issues to the world on a level that is unrivaled.”
Earthshot — which Prince William first conceived of in 2018 — takes its name from President J.F. Kennedy’s desire to put astronauts on the moon, his moonshot.
“[Earthshot is] ambitious but so was going to the moon,” the zookeeper says.
“No one talks about that better than Prince William himself. When you hear him say ‘yes, this is ambitious but we have got to take action right now and we can make it happen.’ That’s what our family has always been about," he says.
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Earthshot organizers are mindful that many young people are anxious about the apparently insurmountable environmental problems that the earth faces. But William’s idea focuses on the hope that answers can be found.
Prince William, as he made a speech in Singapore, on Monday.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
And Irwin is helping reach some of that younger generation, too. “We are aware we are inheriting some massive problems. We know we are the generation, I hate to say it, but who have to clear up a mess. There are some really, really big issues facing our world. But Earthshot is a beacon of hope, and we are here to reward those who are leading the way and creating change,” he tells PEOPLE.
“It’s easy to feel a little bit overwhelmed. But it gives us all hope. We have an amazing golden ticket, a huge opportunity to create change that will resonate for generations to come. This isthemoment in time, in human history, the most important decade I would say ever when it comes to environmental change. And Earthshot is here to lead the way and work with other like-minded individuals, organizations and projects.”
The Earthshot Awards kick off later this morning with green carpet appearances from Earthshot Prize Council MemberCate Blanchett, co-hosts actor and producerSterling K. BrownandTed LassoactressHannah Waddingham.Musical performers will include Bastille and OneRepublic.
This year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony will be broadcast in the U.S. on PBS on Nov. 12 and the BBC in the U.K.
The show also will be available to stream on YouTube.
source: people.com
