The world is heating up at an unprecedented rate hence diverse actors like Earthshot Prize are coming into action, to avert the extreme weather—wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Slowing this rapid climate change requires a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2).
To effectively curb climate change, the world must reduce CO2 emissions by over 40% and protect 30% of natural ecosystems, freshwater, and ocean resources. Achieving this goal is daunting but not impossible, and global initiatives are emerging to inspire action.
One such initiative is the Earthshot Prize, launched in 2020 to reward innovative solutions addressing environmental challenges. So far, the prize has awarded £15 million in prize money, along with generating £50 million in additional funding for 45 winners and finalists. These funds have been instrumental in advancing sustainability projects around the world.
But it’s not just about the prize money—it’s about spreading awareness, inspiring others, and driving change. To amplify the impact, the Earthshot Prize partnered with MultiChoice Africa, a major pan-African entertainment group that reaches 21.8 million households across 50 countries. This partnership aims to raise awareness of climate change and highlight innovative environmental solutions.
A notable example of this is the reforestation initiative led by the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) East Africa Academy in Nderi, Kenya. MTF students collaborated with the local community and a primary school to plant trees, addressing deforestation in the area. This initiative not only helps the environment but also engages local communities in climate action.
MultiChoice, as a member of the Earthshot Prize Global Alliance, uses its creative resources to produce documentaries through the MTF. These films showcase African changemakers and climate solutions. Every year, MTF trains 60 young filmmakers across its academies in Lagos, Nairobi, and Lusaka, equipping them with the skills to tell impactful stories on environmental action.
One such documentary is “Revive The Ocean”, directed by Marilyn E Arko-Baisie and produced by Winner Achimugu. It highlights the work of NGOs and community organizations, such as Sea Turtle Sanctuary, which protect marine life, and Recycle9ja, which fights plastic pollution in Nigeria. Through powerful storytelling, the film showcases how individuals and communities can make a difference.
Another film, “Race Against Time (R.A.T.)”, explores the severe plastic pollution affecting seaside communities in Lagos, Nigeria. Filmmakers Anjola Aluko and Prince Isaac Effiong reveal the complexities of these communities, where one is literally built on plastic waste, now acting as a flood barrier. The film leaves viewers with a sobering message: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save us.”
The short film “2070”, directed by Adejo “Story Priest” Emmanuel, presents a dramatized view of the future. In this story, a schoolgirl imagines the world in 2070. While her classmates dream of flying cars, her lived experience of waste pollution leads her to a grim realization: “If we do nothing about climate change, we rob our children of a safe future.”
Through its partnership with the Earthshot Prize, MultiChoice is teaching young people the importance of sustainability and inspiring them to become future leaders in climate action. By placing environmental awareness at the forefront, MTF filmmakers are helping to shape a new generation of climate-conscious African changemakers, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for the continent.
