Our Future. Our Ideas.

From tree-planting robots to mind-reading helmets, children’s imaginations are limitless! But where do they get their inspiration? In a word: curiosity! So to find new and surprising solutions to global challenges we asked our colleagues’ children to think of ideas for a more sustainable future. The response was amazing, with over 220 submissions! Today, we proudly present the 10 most innovative ideas – together with commentary from Nature Plants Chief Editor, Chris Surridge…

Curious 2022 Curious 2022

Curious2022: Future Insight Conference

Curious about world-renowned scientists’ ideas for a more sustainable future?

Get tickets

"Children’s minds take paths us adults would never think of. Following these creative journeys, to see where they might take us, is both exciting and inspiring!”

Chris Surridge

Chief Editor at Nature Plants

Meet the Winners!

Our first three winners collected the most votes from curious voters from across the globe for their amazing ideas. Congratulations!
We can’t wait to congratulate you virtually at the Curious – Future Insight™ Conference.

It would be great if we could kill viruses with light! However, as Afraz mentioned, we would need to ensure that the light would not affect plants, humans, or animals. UV lights for example could be harmful in high doses. The illustration is good and I like the Life Rays branding. I expect to see the first T-shirts with the LifeRays logos on them, being worn by the end of the year.

Another beautifully and evocatively drawn piece. It is not too far from reality either as we already have most of the technologies needed to make such robots. In fact, robots are used a lot in modern agriculture. The robot looks very content sitting with its charges, and having them fully recyclable is a great idea.

A beautiful illustration of the idea. I love the pollution whale, it has more functions than a Swiss Army Knife. I particularly like the flexible arm with the hammer. This is a very sophisticated illustration, possibly the best draftsmanship of the group.

Meet the Runners-Up!

Congratulations and a huge Thank You to our top 10 – whose innovative ideas also impressed many of our online voters. Check out their fantastic ideas here…

JVP Website Albert L Transparent 10 JVP Website Albert L Transparent 10

1/7

Albert L. Y.(7), Chengdu | China

I wish nano-machines were just like this. A cross between a tiny lobster and a squid. The imagination on display is amazing, and the micro helicopter is so very cute. The diagram of the human system isn’t quite how I remember it but the specific parts of this invention are all there. And so colorfully displayed.
JVP Website Amasha K Transparent 10 JVP Website Amasha K Transparent 10

2/7

Amasha K. (10), Round Rock | USA

Amasha’s image here is striking with great composition. It tells you everything you need to know about the idea. It is also great to see an appreciation that the problems of global warming aren’t only just CO2. It is lovely to think that plants could be used to trap and break down methane, and also good that she recognized that you need to account for all the elements involved to get to your result of sugar and water. Excellent idea and careful presentation.
JVP Website Emilie C Transparent 10 JVP Website Emilie C Transparent 10

3/7

Emilie C. (14), Wilmington | USA

A straightforward idea – bricks that absorb light and store their energy for use afterward. This is beautifully illustrated as a colorful house-of-the-future. I want to live there.
JVP Website Jimena L Transparent 10 JVP Website Jimena L Transparent 10

4/7

Jimena L. C. (10), Darmstadt | Germany

Harvesting lightning without it striking the ground using a team of iron birds to solve our energy needs. What more can be said. The illustrations are very good and nicely laid out on the page. Lightning is very difficult to capture making the idea of using these birds who can get up close to the lightning is inspired. The illustration looks like a comic page, very well laid out for clarity. It is clear what the idea is without any words.
JVP Website Nylah R Transparent 10 JVP Website Nylah R Transparent 10

5/7

Nylah R. (11), Saint Louis | USA

I love that Nylah has created a two-pronged solution. The problem with water is that there is too much of it in one place and not enough elsewhere. Rather than use pipes, she employs a ‘natural’ method of water transport: vapor and clouds. It is also good that the dam not only holds back the flood but is also the site of its vaporization. However, the energy really is a problem – my tip for Nylah would be to find an alternative to hydroelectric power as boiling water requires quite a lot of ener
JVP Website Ryusei K Transparent 10 JVP Website Ryusei K Transparent 10

6/7

Ryusei K. (8), Tokyo | Japan

A beautifully illustrated idea. I like the diagram of the exponential growth of the bacteria. Engineering bacteria to digest plastics is not too hard, there are scientists working on it right now. If these bacteria also absorb CO2 from the atmosphere to combat global warming, we still need to think about what to do with the leftover carbon – it’s the main ingredient in both plastic and CO2. Any ideas, Ryusei? Otherwise, a great idea very well illustrated.
JVP Website Shusei K Transparent 10 JVP Website Shusei K Transparent 10

7/7

Shusei K. (12), Tokyo | Japan

An inspired idea. There is so much in this: pheromones to attract the locusts to the traps, converting them to a palatable protein powder, then using that as cattle feed. You might wonder whether you could not just use the locust powder as food for people, which might be more efficient. But then we do not have to worry too much as the locusts are a very plentiful resource when swarming – all we need is lots of pheromone traps! The picture of a locust is very accurate.
z
Thank You! Thank You!

Thank You!

A huge Thank You to all the curious young minds who shared their wonderful ideas with us. With your curiosity and creativity, we can all look forward to an innovative and more sustainable future!

  • Worlds of Curiosity

    Explore how a more curious society can change the world for the better.
    Ready?

  • Sustainability Report

    Taking on responsibility is in our DNA. Discover how we’re building a more sustainable future.
    Curious?

  • Microplastic Test

    How many microplastic particles do you consume and emit each day?
    Find out!