As the Middle East is short on its own green celebrities, the Zayed Prize has decided to nab some from Hollywood (and tennis) instead
The Zayed Prize is the most prestigious green energy award in the Middle East so it’s easy to see why they have the pick of the bunch when it comes to putting together their jury. This year however, they really have outdone themselves.
As well as securing Mohammed Nasheed, the president of the Republic of Maldives who has campaigned internationally on climate change, they have managed to convince Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscar-award winning actor/environmental activist, and Grand Slam Tennis Champion Andre Agassi to join them. Cherie Blair, wife of the previous Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair, will also be deciding the winners for the award for innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact on renewable energy and sustainability.
Clearly, a celebrity-packed jury is one way to make the headlines (it certainly got us talking!), which can be a good thing if the celebrity happens to be talking about something green. The Zayed Future Energy Prize aims to encourage the ongoing development of renewable energy and clean technology in the world and the jury will convene later this year to decide on the winner who will be honoured in a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on January 17, 2012. The prize is open to individuals, large companies, small and meduim enterprises and non-governmental organisations.
The first prize is neat $1.5 million (Dh5.5 million) which will no doubt go a long to help improve renewable energy projects. The new jury members will join continuing members: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland; Ahmad Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar; and Dr Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Previous winners include the giant wind company Vestas who gave away half of their $1.5 million to other renewable projects in 2011.
All this talk of green celebrities, however, has got me thinking. Why doesn’t the Middle East have any green celebrities of it own? I mean celebrities such as singers and actors that happen to be environmental activists and not just famous green activists. And are green celebrities really that useful in promoting the cause?
A lot of people find the green-talk of rich celebrities patronizing and rather hypocritical. I mean, we all know about the infamous incident when the green rockstar Bono paid for his hat to be flown to him or the event in Syria, where celebrities released environmentally unfriendly balloons to promote a green lifestyle. So are we really missing out on anything? Lets us know what you think.
:: Image via virvikram/picasa.
For more on the Zayed Prize see:
Editor of Arabic Environmental Magazine Scoops Top Eco Prize
Six Finalists Chosen for Masdar’s Zayed Future Energy Prize
Wind Giant Vestas Gives Half of its $1.5 Million Zayed Prize to Other Renewable Innovators
Win The $1.5 Million Zayed Future Energy Prize
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
Observation & Obligations is not against But the ??? Solar & Wind Energy Resources for the Entire World one of the good future Energy Solution in the way of long run limitations / expansions may be??
Dear Sir,
Subject matter need to be consult for the Debates in the future Energy
Events / Forums / Exhibitions / Seminars / Conferences for solving our
Entire World Energy Crisis and its solutions like Hydroelectric Energy
is the one of them for all over the entire World communities energy
requirements, which will be most unique situation for the research and
developments on future thinking and its Solutions. Because both Energy
Resources if in the way of limitation expansions then this will be OK
and fine otherwise they must be disturb the life cycle of whole World
like Seasonal and Weather system of Rain falls, On the other hand
impacts create on Eco System, Environmental issues like new facts and
figures for Human life. Because due to the current scenario of our
Global condition seems to be causing problems & harmful for the next
Cumming future time frame. If we consider as fallowing Points
positively then may be solve the subject matter easily as soon.
Reservations / Obligations for the Wind Energy Sector.
1. First of all we see that wind energy sector spreading rapidly in
every country as a renewable energy Sector a good sign but when wind
fans working to produce energy also disperse the route of proper air
direction which will be the causing problem of environmental issue
like seasonal weather effects for rains and hydro energy sector
projects water storages capacities decrease / Less Levels?
2. Grounds, Hills, Sea, Oceans, everywhere wind forms create energy
from environmental air travelling paths, and send it to the required
portion of power sector uses. But due to the above mention
observations come into the way of this source of energy sector?
3. If we use air / wind for only the utilization for one object as
described, then our Global Earth Planet will be disturb and life cycle
will be change.
Reservations / Obligations for the Solar Energy Sector.
1. Solar Energy Sector also spreading / Growing / Rapidly on houses,
big buildings, Solar parks, Solar forms same as we study in wind
energy sector, Sun heat reach directly towards Solar Panels and after
storing the heat delivered energy to require places for utilizations
of entire world need as we know Globalization and its developments so
fast in every where as we discuss in above wind subject accordingly.
2. The portion of Panels in all over the entire world if we see to its
below / under side areas, there is no heating and lighting approaches
so that due to this impact create same as already discuss in wind
energy sector but here is some different case of scenario taking place
because upper side of Solar Panel observe the heat and light but lower
area of Land surface doesn’t do so and heat and light is not reaching
there properly, causing problems for environment in shape of seasonal
and life cycle changes in human being.
3. Same as in the nature of Engineering / Medical / Eco system / will
be effect due to the above situation as well as environmental issues
we all knows better ways for positive polices and its implementations.
We are not +/ – thinking against the both Wind and Solar energy
system are good resources of our energy Sector all over the world
production departments, same as other lot of energy making areas Gas,
Coal, Tidal, Bio, Thermal , Oil, etc.
At the end of the subject discussion if we see the hydroelectric
energy Sector is the useful way for all over Global energy resources
only if some modifications / alterations made in Penstock Civil Design
Geometry in the Vertical smooth transition type Section come from
intake to turbine travelling path in shape of box culvert type to
enhance capabilities of its generation capacities of Dams, Reservoirs,
Rivers, Flowing Water areas, Canalize water sources by canals &
Tunnels which are already produce lot of energy for entire world
communities and its requirements . Details will be consultable with me
on expertise forms.
Once again need to be identifying only for the considering of
important issues for resolving in our future coming energy events ,
Seminars, Conferences, gathering of think tanks debates and
consultations to find out solutions for the Global energy crisis which
will be come out in next future.
Thanks.
Hoping for the positive response soon.
Planet of Earth Energy & Water Crisis. + One more optional idea for our future thinking.
Dear Sir,
The Subject matter is all over the World facing Energy & Water
problems, So I am trying to Explain an idea for Old & New Dams /
Reservoirs Hydro electric projects Civil Design Geometry Can be
modifying in Architectural Transition to increase our energy
potential. Because we are Losing heavy quantum of already storage
water in our Big Dams and its relevant projects to generate Hydro
Electric old technology, Now it must be need to convert into new
theory of Scientific Technology as per utilizing in the way of
experiment with foreign expertise at any Hydro electric base Model of
concern Department or forum to finalize the following unique and
entire world Global developing idea for its further implementations in
the current ongoing and next coming future Hydroelectric & Water
projects as soon as possible.
Thanks.
with best regards.
Please Debates in future Energy Events / Forums / Exhibitions /
Seminars / Conferences about subject idea for solving our entire World
Energy Crisis as soon as possible.
One more Optional idea for our future thinking.
it is simple to start a intake water Chanel and drop to a low bed area
to generate Hydroelectric Energy + other after-all we can utilize Sea
or Ocean to canalize for entire world energy and agricultural
requirements / necessaries because think tanks can be made easily
Handel the subject matter.
I hope think so.
Leo is “Bar-less” now, after dumping Bar Rafaeli.