Record number of nominations for the Children’s Climate Prize 2020 - Presenting the finalists

The USA, India and Mexico dominate the finalists this year, a year when a record number of nominations were received for the international Children’s Climate Prize founded in Sweden. The jury has finished its deliberations, and the seven finalists are now presented here.

Children and young people from all over the world with an engagement in the climate and the environment have been able to submit their contributions since May. More than 70 nominations were received from 24 different countries, and from these the jury and its advisory board have now selected seven finalists. There was a significant increase in this year’s nominations from the USA, India and Mexico. The young climate and environment entrepreneur Melati Wijsen from Bali took part in the jury’s work and is delighted that so many young people all over the world are fighting for sustainable values:

“It says something about the spirit of the times when children and young people stand up for what they believe in and dare to see solutions where others only see problems. That is exactly what is needed now, sustainable ways into the future, led by young people. This all becomes clear looking at this year's finalists of the Children's Climate Prize.”

Of the seven finalists presented here, two will ultimately be declared winners of the Children’s Climate Prize and presented with SEK 100,000, a diploma and a medal. Who the winners are will be revealed on 2 November. This year’s Children’s Climate Prize event will be a digital broadcast that will take place on 18 November.

Finalists 2020

Clean Air Prize

Solar Ironing Cart - The making of a sustainable ironing cart
Vinisha Umashankar, 13, INDIA

There are about 10 million ironing carts in the streets of India. Together they burn about 50 million kg of charcoal every day, burning trees, polluting the air and contributing to climate change. Vinisha recognized the need for a sustainable solution to the problem and created a solar powered ironing cart, an innovation that proves safer and more sustainable.

Magnetic Train Travel – Creating sustainable mass transportation
Caroline Crouchley, 14, USA

Transportation is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions and a major contributor to air pollution and climate change. With that knowledge in mind Caroline Crouchley developed a working prototype of magnetic train travel. The innovation could prove to be safer and less expensive than Elon Musks Hyperloop.

3E Stechulika - Sustainable cooking equipment
Dhruv Sanjay, 13, INDIA

In large parts of India air polluting cooking equipment are being used regularly. Dhruv Sanjay and his team developed a pollution-free solar powered stove that could be a solution to phase out the outdated equipment, eradicating the risk of having respiratory diseases from polluted air.

Changemaker Prize

The Right Green - Know how about biodiversity restoration
Aadya Joshi, 17, INDIA

Deforestation is the second-leading cause of climate change. But just randomly planting new trees can sometimes do more harm than good by reducing biodiversity. Therefore Aadya Joshi founded The Right Green and developed a database including over 15000 plant-insect feeding relationships from different eco-regions of India. Using her newly invented BioPower Index, landscapers, gardeners and civic authorities can plant the best biodiversity supporting plants. Her educational and outreach workshops have empowered and enabled communities to restore healthy ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, while also addressing climate change.

SOS Salvemos Madin - Local environmental activism for clean water
Ivanna Ortega, 12, MEXICO

Clean, fresh and safe water is essential for public health as well for wildlife. In 2019, budget cuts left Ivana Ortega’s municipality without funds to keep the water clean in the nearby Madin Dam, so water lilies and other plants took over, the fish died, and wildlife disappeared. Ivanna launched a petition and got over 19,000 signatures in just two weeks advocating for maintenance efforts to preserve the Madin Dam. The clean-up was a success and she recently launched a new project to battle the source of the problem.

Youth vs. Apocalypse - Battling climate change and climate injustice
Isha Clarke, 17, USA

Isha first made headlines asking California Senator Dianne Feinstein to support a Green New Deal. Isha is one of the original members of Youth vs. Apocalypse, a diverse group of youth activists who came together to protest a coal terminal which was (and still is) to be built in an underserved community of color in Oakland. The group's mission is to redesign the climate movement, to centralize justice and provide a platform for youth of color and indigenous youth. Their work includes deep work to build local, national and global coalitions with other youth movements and adult allies.

Clearwater Innovation - Solving the global water crisis by imitating nature
Emily Tianshi, 17, USA

Drought has affected more people around the world in the past four decades than any other type of natural disaster. At the same time there is an abundance of moisture in the air, a reserve that could serve millions of people if effectively tapped. Emily Tianshi did just that and discovered a unique micro-pattern on the Torrey Pine tree. She spent years studying the water retaining tree, trying to mimic it's pines that bring water in and pour it out. She has now successfully developed a prototype device that biomimics the needle structure. Her innovation is unique and has recently gained national recognition from the Water Environmental Federation.

Children’s Climate Prize 2020 facts:
International youth climate award
Over 70 nominees
Nominations from more than 24 countries
7 finalists from 3 different countries
2 prize categories
2 November winners are presented
18 November the digital Children’s Climate Prize is broadcasted