A vibrant group of climate advocates, spearheaded by the inspiring tree-planting search engine Ecosia, is embarking on an uplifting journey to encourage the Nobel Committee to establish a Climate and Planetary Health Nobel Prize. This initiative reflects a beautiful vision for a future where the health of our planet is celebrated and prioritized.
Ecosia CEO Christian Kroll expressed this sentiment wonderfully, stating, “When Alfred Nobel created the prizes, he wrote that they must serve the greatest benefit to humankind. Today, this means protecting the planet we all depend on.” This vision aligns harmoniously with the existing categories of the Nobel Prize, which currently honors achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Literature, Economics, and Physiology or Medicine. Each year, laureates receive a generous €1 million endowment, along with a medal or diploma acknowledging their remarkable contributions.
In a generous gesture, Kroll announced that Ecosia is ready to provide the initial €1 million endowment for the Climate Nobel Prize and is enthusiastic about continuing its support in the future. He encourages other organizations to join in this noble pursuit to ensure long-term sustainability for the prize.
In an exciting moment, Kroll shared, “I recently went to the notary here in Berlin to commit an initial €1 million toward a new Nobel Prize, the Climate Nobel Prize. We've contacted the Nobel Foundation to explore making it real.” This commitment is backed by an eagerness to engage with the Nobel Committee, which is responsible for selecting winners in various categories.
Ecosia’s social media presence echoes this positivity, stating, “The funds are ready to go … if the Nobel Committee agrees.” The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, tasked with selecting the Nobel Prize winners in the fields of physics, chemistry, and economics, is being encouraged to embrace the innovative idea of recognizing achievements in Climate and Planetary Health.
Kroll eloquently articulated how a Climate Nobel Prize could significantly impact climate efforts. Drawing parallels to the introduction of the Economics Prize in 1969, he noted that “it reflected the priorities of that era.” He believes that a climate-focused award would similarly inspire and mobilize action.
“A Climate Nobel Prize would give climate leaders and innovators the same recognition as other Nobel laureates,” Kroll shared. He emphasized that such an acknowledgment would inspire courage, create urgency, and drive momentum for effective solutions, thereby transforming how the world values climate action.
Ecosia also clarified that while they would not influence nominations or laureates, they are eager to collaborate on establishing the criteria for the award. They propose three initial categories to recognize contributions in the field of climate action:
- Pragmatic Governance: Honoring effective policies that promote proven solutions and provide long-term stability.
- Scaling Prosperity & Markets: Celebrating innovations and business models that foster sustainable prosperity at an accelerated pace.
- Building Common Ground: Recognizing efforts to unite diverse perspectives in creating shared, practical solutions that empower communities.
As a heartfelt symbol of this initiative, Ecosia crafted an empty blue chair to be placed at future Nobel ceremonies, waiting to honor the first recipient of the Climate Nobel Prize. Kroll remarked, “At every Nobel ceremony, each laureate takes their place on an iconic blue chair. This year, we handcrafted one more, a chair that is still empty, waiting to honor the people who protect life on Earth.”
Ecosia’s website beautifully highlights the importance of a “seat at the table,” calling for recognition of climate work as “the missing prize of the 21st century.” This campaign has garnered support from numerous climate activists who share in the vision of a brighter, more sustainable future.
Climate activist Luisa Neubauer stated, “An award for climate and planetary health would encourage people worldwide to build solutions, improve policy, and mobilize communities to take action.” She reflects a sentiment that resonates with many: it is indeed time for the Nobel tradition to recognize the pressing challenges of our era.
Dr. Claudia Kemfert, an esteemed energy economist, also voiced her support, remarking, “A Nobel Prize for climate and planetary health would be exactly that — a global signal that climate protection secures the future and deserves the highest recognition.”
This collective effort shines with positivity, highlighting how recognition and celebration of climate action can inspire hope and transformation across the globe.
