Adventurer Omar Samra Picked as Ambassador for Environmentalist Earthshot Prize

The Earthshot Prize is a global initiative run by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. So when we say it's prestigious, we're not trying to play you. With a global alliance of international organisations behind them, from Greenpeace to National Georgraphic to the World Economic Forum to the UN Environment Programme, the Greenshot Prize has a simple yet overwhelming goal: to repair our planet within the next decade. What does it take to save Earth by 2030?

As a recently inaugurated ambassador for the Earthshot Prize, Egyptian adventurer and environmentalist Omar Samra is more than ready to take on the challenge. "The Earthshot Prize is such a huge cause for hope. " Omar Samra tells #CairoScene. Samra has founded several nature-focused initiatives, including his hiking group Wild Guanabana, green initiative Imagine If, and marathon group Ultra Egypt to promote eco-tourism across Egypt's natural landscape. "Being an ambassador means that all your work, all your communications, is always putting the environment first. Not just to create a neutral impact, but to help turn the tide in a positive way."

The Earthshot Prize focuses on five pillars of environmentalism, each one coming with its own contest to see who can create this year's world-changing innovation. The five annual awards will come with a big grant and a platform. "Creating competition and prizes to encourage  our youth, encourage people to get creative and push the boundaries, otherwise the actual work on the ground comes much slower," says Samra. "I think this will be a huge catalyst for change."

"The project is extremely ambitious, unapologetically so. That's why it's backed by some of the most inspiring people in the world, like David Attenborough," Samra adds. "I hope to use this platform to promote change. It's my hope that one of the projects for these prizes will come out of Egypt."

The Earthshot Prize is open to every country in the world. To keep up, you can tune into Omar Samra's platform, which features a Highlight called 'Earthshot Prize' which he will periodically update.