The Everglades Foundation has announced a global initiative offering a $10 million prize to anyone who can solve one of the world’s most daunting environmental problems. Applications are now being accepted.
The Grand Challenge $10 million prize will be awarded to anyone who can successfully develop and execute a process to remove excessive phosphorus from our waterways and develop a method to recycle that phosphorus into much needed phosphate for use in growing the world’s food supply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls nutrient pollution one of America’s most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems. It results in serious environmental and human health issues and impacts the economy. A major culprit is phosphorus.
A donor has committed the $10 million prize for The Grand Challenge. An additional $1 million will be awarded in a variety of subcategories. During the past 18 months, Everglades Foundation scientists have met with dozens of scientists, as well as business and government leaders, to study the concept and develop criteria for the prize. Applicants for the $10 million prize will be carefully screened, required to meet certain benchmarks, and have their results monitored by an independent panel of scientists.
“Phosphorus pollution is destroying waterways around the globe, diminishing sea life and wildlife, threatening human health, and, as recently happened in Toledo, Ohio, caused the shutting down of the city’s water supply.” said Dr. Maurice Ferré, chairman of the Everglades Foundation The Grand Challenge Committee. “We believe that The Grand Challenge will lead us to a solution that will restore the health of our waterways, improve the ecosystem, and protect our water supply.”
For more information, go to www.evergladesfoundation.org.
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