Australian TV star Robert Irwin — son of the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin — is strengthening his partnership with Prince William in their joint mission to fight environmental threats.
A conservationist has been named a global ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Award, marking the latest step in his continued support for the initiative which seeks solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Last year, Irwin, 20, attended the Earthshot Awards ceremony in Singapore and has been a vocal supporter of the initiative since its inception. She now joins South African actress and humanitarian Nomzam Mbatha as one of Earthshot’s inaugural global ambassadors, working to further expand the award’s mission.
Inspired by his late father, Irwin, along with his sister Bindi Irwin, 26, and the rest of his family, passionately support their animal conservation foundation, Wildlife Warriors, and work to protect endangered species through Australia Zoo.
Prince William welcomes Robert Irwin at a ceremony in Singapore in November 2023.
Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince William’s Earthshot Prize seeks to recognize ground-breaking ideas and innovations to heal the planet, rewarding leaders, entrepreneurs and companies in five key categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revitalize Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate.
In a statement, Irwin said he was “honored to join Nomzam … to help shine a brighter light on the inspiring changemakers who are saving the planet.”
Prince William is a ‘beacon’ for global environmental mission, says Robert Irwin (Exclusive)
He added: “The Earthshot Award is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about the environment and our ability to secure a livable future for ourselves and future generations. Healthy oceans, ecosystems and species equal a healthy planet, and the Earthshot Prize recognizes the importance of investing in and helping to grow solutions that protect these critical resources. I’m honored to join Nomzam as Earthshot’s first global ambassadors to help shine a brighter light on the inspiring changemakers who are saving the planet.”
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Prince William at the Earthshot Prize event in London in June 2024.
Kin Cheung – WPA gathering/Getty Images
Last year, while supporting the third Earthshot Awards ceremony in Singapore, Irwin expressed his deep admiration for Prince William, 42, telling PEOPLE: “It’s hard to put into words how big 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 to create positive change is such a refreshing, wonderful thing to see. I applaud what he’s doing.”
Prince William tells Robert Irwin his ‘Crocodile Hunter’ dad would be ‘very proud of you’
Their engagement coincides with the Earthshot Prize’s announcement of new additions to the expanded panel, which will help select this year’s winners. The council is joined by humanitarian and restaurateur José Andrés, environmentalist and activist Wanjira Mathai and indigenous activist and writer Nemonte Nenquimo. He will work alongside Prince William and existing members including Queen Rania of Jordan, actress Cate Blanchett, broadcasting legend Sir David Attenborough, business executive Indra Nooyi and designer Stella McCartney.
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Hannah Waddingham, left, Hannah Jones, CEO of Earthshot Prize and investor Tokunboh Ishmael during a panel session with Prince William at the June 2024 Earthshot Prize Innovation Camp.
Kin Cheung – WPA gathering/Getty Images
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The upcoming Earthshot Award ceremony will take place in Cape Town, South Africa this November. The event will award $1.3 million to organizations or individuals with innovative solutions to address the planet’s most pressing challenges, giving them the support they need to scale their ideas
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education