2021 Keeling Curve Prize Application Period Open $25,000 will be awarded to ​each​ of 10 projects that address global warming ASPEN, Colo., Nov. 1, 2020-- The application period is open for the 2021 Keeling Curve Prize, which awards $25,000 to each of 10 projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase their carbon uptake. This prestigious competition attracts inspiring entries from around the world. Applicants have come from 77 different countries, demonstrating accelerating global enthusiasm for climate action. The prize is named after scientist Charles David Keeling's iconic dataset showing a sharp increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere since the 1950s. This year the Keeling Curve has shown atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide topping 415 ppm — higher than at any other time in human history and closer to the 450+ ppm that scientists have warned would trigger a 2 degrees celsius temperature increase and extreme weather events. "The 2020 year has been a year of great global turmoil, with many challenges experienced by communities and companies around the world. As we end this year that has shown us how crises can be so interconnected, we hope to shine a light to activate and accelerate the exciting, hopeful and creative solutions that are showing us inspiring examples of climate action to bend the Keeling Curve.” said Keeling Curve Prize Executive Director Jacquelyn Francis. "This prize is about supporting and accelerating these efforts. We have no time to waste." The application for the 2021 Keeling Curve Prize can be found at www.globalwarmingmitigationproject.org​. Prizes will be awarded to two projects in each of the following five categories: ● Capture & Utilization –​ Activating and accelerating natural or human-made systems for carbon capture, utilization and sequestration; ● Energy ​– Decarbonizing energy, supporting zero-carbon energy, or leading the way in the supply, distribution, access, infrastructure, or improvements of low- or zero-emissions energy systems; ● Finance – ​Making the economics or financial mechanisms work for heat-trapping gas reduction or reversal ventures; ● Social & Cultural Pathways – ​Changing the way people consider, understand, and act on humanity's impacts affecting the livability of planet Earth; and ● Transport & Mobility – ​Reimagining and reinventing all types of vehicles, fuels, and mobility options for both people and products. The 2021 Keeling Curve Prize application period closes on Feb. 10. Finalists will be named in the spring, and winners will be announced in the summer. The 2020 Awards ceremony can be viewed ​here​. Keeling Curve Prize finalists and winners are chosen by a panel of esteemed climate scientists, public policy experts, and researchers, including Dr. Achala Abeysinghe of the Global Green Growth Development Institute; Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel of the Union of Concerned Scientists; Paul Holthus, Founding President and CEO of the World Ocean Council; Kara Hurst of Amazon; Edward Mungai, CEO of the Kenya Climate Innovation Center; Richard Newell, President and CEO of Resources for the Future; Robin Newmark, Executive Director Emeritus of Strategic Initiatives NREL; George Polk, Managing Partner of Tulum Trust; and Jonathan Silver of Tax Equity Advisors, LLC. Winners of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Keeling Curve Prize are listed ​here​. Media Contact:​ Barb D’Autrechy [email protected] 970.364.6770 SOURCE Global Warming Mitigation Project Related Links http://www.globalwarmingmitigationproject.org .