Steve Irwin’s Son Named Ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize

Robert Irwin, the son of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, has been appointed an ambassador for the Prince of Wales’s Earthshot Prize.

Irwin described William’s initiative, which aims to recognize and scale up efforts to “repair” the planet, as a “beacon of hope for all of us.”

The 2024 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony will be hosted in South Africa, potentially paving the way for a royal visit by the prince.

Irwin said, “The Earthshot Prize is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about the environment and about our ability to ensure 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 grow solutions that protect these critical resources.”

Steve Irwin was an Australian zookeeper and popular television personality whose wildlife shows captivated audiences both in Australia and globally before he passed away in 2006 following a stingray attack. His children, Robert and Bindi Irwin, have carried on his legacy through their work in wildlife conservation and television appearances.

In his new role, Irwin joins Hollywood actress Nomzamo Mbatha, who has appeared in films like Eddie Murphy’s “Coming 2 America” and Bruce Willis’s “Assassin”.

Mbatha stated, “As an African, I am passionate about highlighting the incredible work of innovators and entrepreneurs across the continent, and I can’t wait to work with Robert and others within The Earthshot Prize to honor and celebrate African solutions in Cape Town later this year.”

Three new judges have been appointed to the Earthshot Prize Council, which is responsible for selecting the five category winners who each receive £1 million to scale up their projects.

The new judges include restauranteur Jose Andres, environmentalist Wanjira Mathai, and indigenous activist and author Nemonte Nenquimo. The council’s existing members feature William, Sir David Attenborough, fashion designer Stella McCartney, actress Cate Blanchett, and Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

Awards are granted in five categories, also known as Earthshots: Protect And Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build A Waste-Free World; and Fix Our Climate.

Last November, Singapore hosted the latest awards ceremony. Previous events were held in Boston in 2022 and at London’s Alexandra Palace in 2021.

Source: PA Wire