Open-minded innovations from young people improve the life of our planet

In August, professors at Aalto University gave under 19-year-olds four different challenges in global sustainable development:

• How to eliminate the carbon dependence in our society?
• How to utilise the opportunities of light in the fight against climate change?
• How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?
• How to utilise a quantum computer?

Pieces submitted for the competition propose new, feasible solutions to these challenges. The assessment criteria are scientific rigour, imagination, creativity, innovativeness and feasibility.

Young people's interest in environmental issues was evident in the competition, and the challenges inspired 15 high-quality solutions that were very different from each other. The largest number of solution proposals responded to the challenge of removing plastic pollution from the seas.

The final of the competition will be held online on Friday 9 October at 13.00. The link for the online finale will be published on the event page.

The bar was high and the competition was even so the jury decided to select six candidates for the final. They are:

Rasmus Suonio, Lassi Niemelä and Max Masalin (How to utilise a quantum computer?)

Anette Heinonen (How to utilise the opportunities of light in the fight against climate change?)

Ella Hannuksela & Danilo Karaica (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)

Adam Yousfi (How to eliminate the carbon dependence in our society?)

Martta Matinaho and Saara Matinaho (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)

Indra Halviala (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)