Sony BBC Earth has been engaging viewers with a slew of interesting initiatives, in addition to being a brand known for delivering thought-provoking content.

Intellectual properties have been successfully used as a channel to drive meaningful conversations about sustainability. ‘Young Earth Champions’ from Sony BBC Earth is one of them.

Young Earth Champions, which was announced in May 2022, was created to engage with young minds and encourage them to work towards a better future. It received several innovative entries on how to preserve the planet’s resources – water, land, wildlife, forest, and energy. Delhi’s Rishit Mathur emerges as the proud winner amongst hundreds of participants.

As per a press release, Students in grades 6th through 9th competed in this nationwide competition, displaying their spirit and determination through thought-provoking submissions. To ensure that each submission is given due consideration, an expert team from IIT Bombay’s Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, led by Professor Amritanshu Shriwastav, and actor and environmentalist Jim Sarbh carefully evaluated the ideas.

The top ten shortlisted entries were allowed to engage in an engaging conversation with Jim Sarbh and the professor about sustainability. Rishit Mathur, the contest’s winner, received the grand prize of an iPad, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be featured on the Sony BBC Earth channel. Rishit began his path to becoming an environmental activist at a young age, in response to major issues affecting the planet. His desire to change the world inspired him to enter the competition.

Rishit’s concept revolved around effectively managing crop residue rather than burning it and creating an environmental hazard. He proposed that crop residues be used to make eco-friendly furniture. Farmers can use this furniture for personal use or sell it in open markets to supplement their income. He also proposed that crop residue be converted into organic manure via a chemical reaction and used to grow new crops.

There was a total of 10 finalists and their ideas ranged from repurposing resources to using technology to track poaching, reusing glass for making bricks to ensuring germ-free water, etc.

In association with its knowledge partner Nehru Science Centre, Sony BBC Earth’s ‘Young Earth Champions’ received more than 1000 registrations from across the country led by 2,08,387 visits to the contest page.
To find out more about the contest and its winning entries one can visit https://www.sonybbcearth.com/youngearthchampions/

Rohan Jain, Business Operations Head – Sony AATH and Head – Marketing & Insights, English Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks said, “At Sony BBC Earth we have always aimed at creating meaningful engagements through all our initiatives. As we conclude the second edition of ‘Young Earth Champions’ we are pleased to share that the spirit and determination of the younger generation have been quite commendable. We are extremely thankful to Jim Sarbh, Professor Amritanshu Shriwastav, and the IIT Bombay team for joining us in the cause and sharing their expertise. We further aim to introduce more such properties in the future and encourage green practices across the nation.”

Professor Amritanshu Shriwastav, Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, said, “The younger generation is more conscious and aware of the current environment scenario, and it was very well reflected through their thought-through submissions. Choosing the winning entries from amongst the talent lot was not an easy task and our team got to learn so much from these young kids. It was quite an enriching experience even for us as professionals.”