Gen-Z Activist Genesis Butler Urges Prince William to Embrace a Plant-Based Future

In a bold move that has garnered significant attention, 16-year-old climate activist Genesis Butler has joined forces with Generation Vegan to challenge Prince William to add a meat-alternative category to his esteemed Earthshot Prize, revealed an exclusive report by PEOPLE. As an advocate for animal rights and the environment, Butler argues that recognizing plant-based solutions is not just urgent but imperative for the planet’s future. Generation Vegan has even offered a substantial £1 million ($1.2 million) prize for an “Advance a Plant-Based Food System” category, mirroring the Earthshot winners’ rewards. A letter detailing this proposal was sent to Prince William at Buckingham Palace, and Butler plans to be present when the royal visits the U.S. next week.

On September 19, Prince William, the heir to the throne, is scheduled to attend the second annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City. Co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, this event will unveil the fifteen 2023 Earthshot Prize finalists, who are leading the way in developing climate solutions aimed at restoring Earth by 2030. The summit, taking place during New York Climate Week, will also bring together past Earthshot Prize winners and finalists, along with policymakers, global business leaders, philanthropists, and climate activists, to scale up their innovative solutions.

Butler’s hopes for the success of this endeavor are not just wishful thinking. She remains optimistic that Prince William will respond positively to their proposal and introduce a meat-alternative award to the Earthshot Prize. Currently, the Earthshot categories focus on rejuvenating and rehabilitating the land, air, and sea through initiatives such as Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate.

“I hope that I’ll get an answer back from him, whether that’s by him responding to it or even by him just adding this. That’s all that we’re asking, just that he adds the plant-based winner,” Butler emphasizes.

The initiative by Generation Vegan, also known as GenV, has already garnered Support from notable celebrities, some of whom have royal connections. In August, the nonprofit revealed that prominent figures such as Sharon Osbourne, Emma Thompson, Alicia Silverstone, and Annie Lennox are backing the “Advance a Plant-Based Food System Earthshot Prize.” Olivia Colman, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth in seasons 3 and 4 of “The Crown” on Netflix, lends her Support, as does Emma Thompson, who attended King Charles’ coronation in May.

This isn’t the first time Genesis Butler has teamed up with GenV for a significant cause. In 2019, she collaborated with the organization to offer Pope Francis a $1 million donation to charity if he adopted a vegan diet for Lent. Additionally, she proposed a similar donation to veteran causes if then-President Donald Trump followed a plant-based diet for a month. Butler was thrilled to receive a response from Pope Francis, who sent a letter along with his blessing, expressing appreciation for her concerns about the environment.

Looking back at her interactions with Pope Francis, Butler describes it as “very inspiring” and emphasizes how it highlighted the importance of questioning world leaders. She believes that such initiatives garner significant attention and contribute to the betterment of the planet. This realization drives her to continue her campaigns, including the current one aimed at Prince William.

The young activist, who is the great-niece of the late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, draws strength from his legacy. She emphasizes the importance of persistence and fearlessness in activism, inspired by Chavez’s unwavering dedication to his cause.

The Earthshot Prize, established by Prince William in 2020, intends to award environmental solutions until 2030. The inaugural awards were held in London in October 2021, and the next ceremony is set to take place in Singapore on November 7. The five current Earthshot Prize categories each offer £1 million to help scale environmental solutions, and the impact of the 2023 cohort has already been significant, with millions of people benefiting from finalist solutions, and thousands of hectares of land protected or restored, along with substantial reductions in CO2 emissions.

Genesis Butler’s campaign to introduce a “Plant-Based Food System” category to the Earthshot Prize is a testament to the power of young activists who are committed to driving change and making a difference in the world. As the world watches, the outcome of this compelling initiative remains eagerly anticipated.

Find out more about Generation Vegan here.

Related Content:

• I’m Part of Generation Vegan: Here’s Why
• Vegan Activist Exposes Truth Behind Pig Slaughter in Australian Abattoirs
• Prince William Serves Veggie Burgers To Unsuspecting Customers
• Prince William Awards $1.2 Million to Startup Making Edible Packaging From Seaweed

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