'Keep the award, give me the money'

This issue is dropping on my birthday---for the first time ever! 🎉 Today, I'm letting nostalgia take over, so I want to thank you. Whether you've been here since Day 1 or just joined, thank you for paying attention. Attention---it's no small thing. Entire systems are built to steal it, to twist it, to distract it. But here you are, every Monday, choosing to focus on these perspectives, choosing to care. That choice, week after week, holds more power than we often realize. It keeps these perspectives relevant.

But let's get to it. Today's issue is packed:

• Protecting nature and the climate: Lucia wrote a deep dive into the Earthshot Prize winners and the very valid criticisms of this flashy environmental award.
• An Egyptian Christmas song (unofficial, but it works) that's been on repeat for me.
• Iraqi hip-hop legends making waves in Baghdad.
• A Brazilian investigation exposing all the dirty money in politics.
• A mini-doc about a Senegalese fisherman that stayed with me for days.
• And a hilarious news bit that I don't think I'll ever top.

Meet the winners of the 2024 Earthshot Prize

What happened:
On November 7, the Earthshot Prize was held in Cape Town, South Africa, where five out of 15 finalists won £1 million each to expand their environmental projects.

Why this matters:
Climate change is hitting the hardest in places that often lack the money to fight back. The Earthshot Prize is one of the largest awards for environmental efforts, and a much-needed financial injection.

Tell me more:
The award supports innovative initiatives to tackle climate change and environmental pollution, from preserving vulnerable ecosystems like oceans and forests, reducing plastic waste, to cutting CO2 emissions. Since its launch in 2021, the prize has focused on five categories inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals: 'Fix Our Climate', 'Protect & Restore', 'Build a Waste-free World', 'Clean Our Air' and 'Revive Our Oceans'. All winners join a one-year fellowship to refine their projects, get expert guidance, and connect with global partners.

Who are the winners?
Here's a quick overview of all five, with links to their websites and/or social media, so you can stay in the loop if you wanted to.

(1) Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative:
This group from Kazakhstan is saving the Golden Steppe, a huge 75-million-hectare grassland. They've helped the saiga antelope population recover from just 20,000 to 2.8 million, recovering from "critically endangered" to "near threatened" status. They focus on research and protection to keep this unique ecosystem alive. Follow them: Website, LinkedIn.

• Why this matters: The Golden Steppe is one of the least protected ecosystems in the world. It is under threat from overgrazing, farming, and industrial acitivity. Restoring animals like the saiga antelope, wild asses, and Przewalski's horses keeps the ecosystem balanced and reduces wildfire risks.

(2) Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO):
In 2014, while still a student, Desmond Alugnoa started GAYO to tackle pollution and waste burning in Ghana. The organization teaches people how to turn waste into valuable products like compost and charcoal briquettes, which can be sold for income. GAYO also fights for fair working conditions for waste pickers, making sure they're treated with dignity. Follow them: Website, Instagram.

• Why this matters: Tons of waste are polluting beaches and cities in Ghana---much of it imported from Europe. Each week, 15 million items of used clothing arrive in Ghana, but nearly half are unsellable and often end up burned, polluting the air and land. GAYO's solutions, like recycling and upcycling waste, offer a way to protect the environment while improving lives and health in local communities.

(3) High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People:
This global initiative works to get governments to commit to protecting 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030, a goal known as the "30×30 target." So far, 120 countries have signed on to this ambitious plan, which the coalition helped define during the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15). Their next big challenge is making sure countries actually follow through on their promises. Follow them: LinkedIn, Instagram.

• Why this matters: For years, there wasn't a global plan to protect biodiversity, leaving many governments without clear goals or accountability. This coalition is changing that by holding leaders responsible and working to prevent overfishing, agricultural exploitation, and other threats to ecosystems. Their work is crucial for preserving biodiversity and creating a sustainable future.

(4) Keep IT Cool:
This Nairobi-based start-up helps small farmers and fishers in East Africa keep their food fresh using solar-powered cooling boxes. By improving refrigeration and food distribution, they work on a more reliable food supply for consumers and provide stable incomes for producers. Follow them: LinkedIn.

• Why this matters: Globally, one-third of all food is wasted, and in the so-called Global South, 40% of produce is lost before it even reaches the market---mainly due to poor refrigeration. By preventing spoilage, Keep IT Cool helps reduce waste, improve food security, and cut financial losses for small-scale farmers.

(5) Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems:
This U.S. project turns wasted heat from factories into electricity. Their technology is small, easy...