FINDING REAL SOLUTIONS
TO COUNTER THE EFFECTS
OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Follow the sun: the solution driven continental challenge
This challenge shapes the development of tangible solutions to real problems. Multidisciplinary teams of young professionals from metropolitan cities on different continents are set out to develop a solution for a challenge that their city experiences due to climate change. In the finale each team presents a thorough business case. The winner receives a generous budget to launch their product or service.
THE FIRST EDITION HAS COME TO AN END
From the 18th of January until the 26th of January, the Follow the Sun challenge was held as part of the online Climate Adaptation Summit of the United Nations. The Follow the Sun 2021 challenge was made possible through the financial support of the Municipality of Rotterdam.
THIS WAS THE CHALLENGE
HOW CAN THE WORLD'S CITIES ADAPT TO RISING SEA LEVELS
THESE WERE THE TEAMS
Five teams of young high potentials were formed in Chile, India, Australia, Kenya and the Netherlands. Each team developed a concrete solution to combat rising sea levels and floods in their respective regions.
GRAND FINALE 2021
On tuesday, January 26th, each team presented its solution during the Grand Finale. The jury consisted of Arnoud Molenaar, Wouter Veer and Marielle Chartier. Each of the continental contestants presented creative and insightful concepts ranging from desalination to floating aquaponic farming.
Chile Won the global Follow the Sun Challenge with Underwater Forestry
Chile, Latin America, won the global Follow the Sun challenge 2021! Their concept aiming to revalue a local commodity ‘kelp’ as big wave breaker impressed the jury because of combining functionality, biomimicry with restoration of biodiversity and local job preservation. Their sophisticated approach using underwater forests of kelp is immediately implementable and highly scalable. The winners get €10.000,- worth of R&D money, and will be guided towards further development of their concept by the municipality of Rotterdam.
Wave breakers by planting underwater forests; BosKelp
Many thanks for all the hard work to all the teams, the jury and all experts who guided the teams into exciting new opportunities! If you wish to get in touch with the winners or runner-ups, please contact us.
The Grand Finale and all pitches can be re-viewed here.
GET IN TOUCH!
