CAPE TOWN DIARY: KIARA NIRGHIN ON FINDING YOUR OWN EARTHSHOT
The young South African technologist, author and environmentalist Kiara Nirghin attends the Earthshot Prize awards and reflects on chasing curiosity into solutions
Kiara Nirghin became an inventor in response to the problems she faced in her teens. After contracting bilharzia, a parasitic disease that led to bacterial meningitis, a hospitalization and a long recovery at home, she found her passion for science pulling her curiosity away from the pain, beyond schoolwork and into the issues impacting her life. At the time, Cape Town was enduring its worst drought in half a century. It wasn’t enough for Kiara to investigate the crisis and grasp the “why” behind water rationing, parched soil and soaring food prices. Kiara questioned how she could help her community and contribute to the critical work of solutions. She took her research offline and into the kitchen, where a series of experiments ultimately led to a life-changing breakthrough.
At age 16, Kiara created and patented a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) made from waste orange peels and avocado skin that increases water retention in soil, providing a low-cost and commercially viable agricultural innovation that can boost crop survival in a drought by 84%. Her “No More Thirsty Crops” project earned the grand prize in the 2016 Google Science Fair, making Kiara one of the contest’s youngest female winners and catapulting her into the global spotlight.
Kiara has since graduated from the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, co-founded Chima, an AI-pioneering tech startup, authored her first book, collaborated with major brands, fashion houses and global organizations, and is named on multiple Most Influential lists recognizing her inventiveness and advocacy for young women in STEM. Inspired by the capacity of the human brain, the 24-year-old is dedicated to using hers—and her voice—to address critical climate issues and to challenge people’s perceptions of who a scientist can be.
We caught up with Kiara as she prepared to speak at the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town, South Africa. In photos and words below, she takes us into the world of a young activist and visits our Parley AIR Station with Sentinel Ocean Alliance in Hout Bay.
Q & A
Parley: Why does the world need an Earthshot? How can a collective challenge supercharge innovation and drive environmentalism forward?
Kiara: The world needs an Earthshot because we are facing unprecedented environmental challenges that require immediate and transformative action. The Earthshot Prize serves as a catalyst for global innovation by inspiring individuals, communities, and nations to develop solutions that can regenerate our planet. A collective challenge like this harnesses the power of collaboration and shared purpose, supercharging innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives and resources. It elevates environmentalism from isolated efforts to a unified global movement, accelerating progress toward a sustainable future.
You were a teenager on the mend from an illness and hospitalization when you invented a solution in response to a record drought in South Africa: an award-winning biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) made from orange peels and avocado skins. How did you make the leap from curiosity and an awareness of a problem to developing a commercially viable agricultural product? What role did collaboration play in the journey to a patent?
Recovering from my illness gave me the time and space to deeply consider the impact of the severe drought on my community. My curiosity led me to explore natural, sustainable materials that could address water scarcity. The leap from awareness to innovation involved extensive research, experimentation, and a willingness to learn from failures. Developing a commercially viable product required not only scientific rigor but also understanding the practical needs of farmers. Collaboration was instrumental in this journey. It transformed an individual idea into a solution with real-world applicability.
Where did you find the courage to begin, and the confidence to trust that your innovation was worth exploring beyond your family’s kitchen?
The courage to begin stemmed from a deep-seated desire to help my community during a crisis. Witnessing the hardships caused by the drought motivated me to take action. The initial experiments in my family's kitchen showed promising results, which built my confidence. Their encouragement helped me trust that pursuing this idea further could lead to meaningful change.
Why is it important to you to uplift and connect other young women and girls in STEM?
Uplifting and connecting young women and girls in STEM is crucial because diversity drives innovation. Women bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches that enrich the scientific community. By empowering them, we not only promote gender equality but also unlock a wealth of untapped potential that can contribute to solving global challenges. Mentorship and support networks can help overcome barriers, inspiring more young women to pursue and excel in STEM fields.
We are all interconnected, and now tethered to connected screens. The digital revolution rapidly changed how we live, communicate, study, and work, and now AI is poised to transform our world again. As we navigate these new technologies and mitigate their risks, where do you see the most potential for AI to support ocean and climate solutions, despite being called an ‘existential threat’ itself?
AI has immense potential to enhance our understanding and management of environmental systems. In ocean and climate solutions, AI can process vast amounts of data to model climate patterns, predict environmental changes, and optimize resource use. It can help monitor ocean health, track pollution, and support conservation efforts by providing precise and timely information. While there are concerns about AI's risks, responsible development and ethical guidelines can ensure it serves as a powerful tool in our efforts to combat climate change rather than an existential threat.
Climate experts have cautioned against an overemphasis on technological innovation, arguing that the myth of a magical tech fix can distract people from a fossil fuel phase-out and the work of looking into ourselves, our communities, and our connection with nature for solutions. As a young technologist and environmentalist who’s made the case for Intelligent Optimism, how do you relate to this perspective?
I deeply resonate with this perspective. While I am a strong advocate for technological innovation, I believe it's essential to recognize that technology is a tool—not a cure-all. Intelligent Optimism, to me, means embracing the potential of innovation while staying grounded in the understanding that meaningful change also requires personal commitment and community engagement. We must balance our pursuit of new technologies with efforts to phase out fossil fuels and cultivate sustainable practices within our societies. It's through this holistic approach that we can drive genuine, lasting impact on the climate crisis.
Intergenerational collaboration is critical to solving complex issues. What role can young people play in addressing the climate crisis, and how does the Gen Z perspective differ from other generations?
Young people are at the forefront of the climate movement, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and a sense of urgency. Gen Z has grown up with greater awareness of environmental issues and is more connected through technology. We tend to prioritize sustainability and are eager to challenge traditional practices that harm the planet. By collaborating with older generations, we can blend innovation with experience, creating comprehensive solutions that address the climate crisis effectively.
At the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town, you’ve had the opportunity to connect and speak with innovators and changemakers who are pioneering solutions to protect and restore nature, clean the air, revive the oceans, and redesign the world away from waste. From the finalists and winners, what are some of the ideas you’re most excited about?
Connecting with the finalists and winners was incredibly inspiring. I'm particularly excited about solutions that focus on regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems, as they address both environmental and social challenges. Innovations in clean energy technologies that are accessible to underserved communities also stood out to me. These ideas not only tackle pressing environmental issues but also promote equity and resilience, embodying the transformative spirit of the Earthshot Prize.
You’ve pointed out that we all carry smartphones with more computing power than any machine used in the Apollo missions that landed humanity on the Moon. With climate anxiety on the rise, along with burnout and apathy, what’s your advice to someone who wants to harness these tools and the power of their own mind to create some good in the world?
My advice is to leverage the technology at your fingertips to educate yourself and others. Use your smartphone to access information, connect with like-minded individuals, and participate in or start initiatives that align with your passions. Small actions can have a ripple effect when shared and amplified through digital platforms. It's important to balance consumption with creation—don't just absorb content; use these tools to contribute solutions and inspire change. Remember that your unique perspective and skills are valuable in the collective effort to improve our world.
When you envision a better future, what do you see? What is your Earthshot to improve our world and what’s next for you from here?
I envision a future where sustainability is ingrained in every aspect of society—where communities thrive in harmony with nature, and innovation is geared toward regenerative practices. My Earthshot is to continue developing and advocating for solutions that address water scarcity and promote sustainable agriculture. Moving forward, I aim to collaborate with global innovators, expand my research, and engage in educational outreach to empower others, especially young people, to contribute to a healthier planet.
“Don't just absorb content; use these tools to contribute solutions and inspire change.”
KIARA NIRGHIN
Hout Bay. Captions by Kiara: The ocean is a source of life, inspiration, and endless discovery, embodying the vast potential of science and technology to explore and preserve our interconnected planet.
Photo via Sentinel Ocean Alliance. Parley Ocean School with SOA empowers youth from coastal communities to gain confidence in the water and unlock their own potential to change the world through ocean education, mentorship and activism.
With the Parley x Sentinel Ocean Alliance crew. The Parley AIR Station in Hout Bay feels like a family driving impact—a joyful and passionate group of individuals committed to meaningful change through ocean education.
Attending the Earthshot Prize in South Africa is the culmination of everything I'm passionate about, perfectly aligning the worlds I love and highlighting our nation's role in pioneering environmental solutions.
Using my voice for climate solutions is vital because collective action amplified through advocacy can transform awareness into tangible, global impact.
“The courage to begin stemmed from a deep-seated desire to help my community during a crisis. Witnessing the hardships caused by the drought motivated me to take action.”
KIARA NIRGHIN
On the green carpet, dressed by Gabriela Hearst. Partnering with Gabriela was a natural choice because her dedication to sustainable luxury mirrors my values, and I believe fashion has a profound responsibility to lead in sustainability and drive innovation toward a more conscious future.
As I step into the awards venue, I'm inspired by the collective hope and determination of young people globally, eager to witness and celebrate the transformative solutions shaping our planet's future.
My key takeaway from the awards: bold collaboration across disciplines accelerates innovation, harnessing diverse perspectives to create groundbreaking environmental solutions.
Congratulations to the 2024 Earthshot Prize Winners!
Photos by Carl van der Linde
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