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Team PURA - Anna Podmanická and Tomáš Čermák. Team PURA was awarded The Earth Prize 2025 for the European and went on to win the global grand prize. The Earth Prize (Image of Tomas by Image by Jana Plavec, Czech Academy of Sciences) Earlier this month, the World Health Organization published a sobering report on antibiotic-resistant bacteria that found that one out of six bacterial species causing common infections in humans is resistant to antibiotics. Resistance varied by region, with fully one in three bacterial infections showing resistance to antibiotics in Southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean, and one in five in Africa. To make matters worse, bacteria causing some of the most severe infections—those causing organ failure and death—were resistant to first-choice antibiotic treatments. The report showed that over 40% of E. coli and over 55% of K. pneumoniae are resistant globally. This report reminded me of my coverage of two teenage scientists in Eastern Europe who collaborated to engineer a novel process for removing chemicals from antibiotic-laden wastewater, reducing the likelihood that antibiotic-resistant species will evolve. These young scientists, Tomáš Čermák (18) from Czechia and Anna Podmanická (19) from Slovakia, won The Earth Prize regional competition for Europe and went on to capture the top spot for The Earth Prize 2025. (You can find my coverage of the winners and runners up for The Earth Prize 2024 here.) My colleague David Corzo Sanchez, an emergent entrepreneur completing his undergraduate degree in Mexico City, spoke to Tomáš and Anna about their invention to help combat what the team calls “The Silent Epidemic of Antibiotic Resistance”. The video of David’s interview with Tomáš and Anna discusses the importance of water treatment and why we can and should think about water quality as a climate issue as well as an ecological one. MORE FOR YOU The Earth Foundation is just opening up registration for the 2026 competition. Young changemakers can register—individually or in teams—and submit their project through January 31, 2026. Upon registration, The Earth Foundation matches entrants with mentors for one-on-one support in developing all aspects of their project, including educational resources covering various subjects and expert workshops on topics like communications and public relations. Teachers, community leaders, and parents should encourage budding scientists to apply for The Earth Prize 2026. Competition at a global level might seem intimidating, but participation offers young people wonderful benefits: research, engineering, and entrepreneurial skills, valuable interaction with other like-minded youth, a deeper understanding of climate change and environmental issues, and the confidence that comes from hard work. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
