The prize is all about balance – how climate change affects interconnected systems. It’s made from recycled silver and spectrolite, a natural stone sourced from Ylämaa, Finland.

When Ms. Päivi Keski-Pomppu was invited to design the physical prize for the Global Climate Research Prize, the task resonated deeply with her lifelong values. A traditional goldsmith by background, Keski-Pomppu has built her practice on craftsmanship, sustainability, and a profound respect for materials, principles that naturally aligned with the ethos of a prize dedicated to addressing the global climate crisis.

“In a world where headlines are often dominated by conflict, climate change can lose attention,” she notes. “But it remains one of the biggest challenges we face.”

She sees the prize as a platform for fostering collaboration, bringing together universities, researchers, and experts to develop new solutions and drive progress.

The Global Climate Research Prize (GCRP) is a biennial environmental award recognizing published, high-quality research with transformative and transboundary impact on addressing climate change.

A foundation in craft and consciousness

Keski-Pomppu’s journey into design began with a strong foundation in traditional goldsmithing. From early on, she found herself drawn not only to the technical and artistic aspects of jewelry-making, but also to the ethical questions surrounding it. As a small-scale maker, she became increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of production and consumption.

“I’ve always been interested in environmental issues,” she reflects. “Even when I was young, I was thinking about things like vegetarian food and how we live.”

This awareness followed her into her design career, shaping her philosophy. She began questioning the abundance of products in the world and searching for more sustainable approaches to creation. Ultimately, this led her to focus on jewelry made entirely from recycled materials, something she describes as essential not only professionally, but personally.

“I can sleep peacefully at night knowing I’ve followed my heart´s values,” she says.

Designing the Prize: From mushrooms to recycled silver

When tasked with designing the Global Climate Research Prize, Keski-Pomppu approached it with both excitement and a sense of responsibility. She immersed herself in the background and purpose of the prize, exploring how best to translate complex global issues into a meaningful physical object.

While she considered innovative materials, such as emerging bio-based fabrics made from mushrooms, she ultimately returned to something more rooted and traditional: recycled silver. The design process began with sketches exploring various themes, but one idea kept resurfacing: layers.

“There are so many sensitive layers when it comes to the larger scale of what is climate change,” she says. “It’s not just one issue, it’s interconnected systems, fragile balances.”

From this concept emerged the central visual metaphor of the piece: balance. The medal subtly evokes the image of a scale, representing equilibrium and the delicate relationships between environmental, social, and scientific factors.

The inclusion of spectrolite, a natural stone sourced from Ylämaa, near Lappeenranta one of the Prize´s cofounder´s home, further grounds the piece in both geography and meaning. Its layered structure and shifting colors mirror the complexity and depth of climate challenges.

Material Choices as a Statement

For Keski-Pomppu, the choice of materials was not merely aesthetic, it was integral to the message. The medal is crafted entirely from recycled silver, sourced within a circular economy framework.

“The origin of materials was a key part of the design,” she emphasizes. “As designers, we have to think critically about what we need and how we are designing things.”

While she acknowledges that design alone cannot solve climate change, she believes it plays a meaningful role in shaping awareness and values. Thoughtful material choices, she believes, can embody responsibility and inspire reflection.

A Handmade Reflection of Shared Responsibility

Every Global Climate Research Prize medal is entirely handmade, making each one unique. This craftsmanship reinforces the human dimension of climate action, highlighting sensitivity, intention, and accountability.

At its core, the piece communicates a message of balance and stewardship. “We are dealing with big problems,” Keski-Pomppu says, “but at the core, it’s about how we live every day, how we respect nature and protect it for the next generation.”

The medal serves as both an honor and a reminder: that behind scientific breakthroughs and global strategies lies a shared human responsibility to act thoughtfully and sustainably.

Looking Ahead: Keeping Climate in Focus

Keski-Pomppu hopes the prize will do more than recognize excellence, it should also keep climate issues visible and urgent.

For her personally, the experience has been both meaningful and inspiring. “It was an honor to make this,” she says. “And as the prize evolves and research advances, so there may be new inspiration as a designer for me as well.

Through her thoughtful design, Päivi Keski-Pomppu has created more than a medal, she has crafted an icon. Rooted in sustainability, shaped by tradition, and imbued with meaning, the Global Climate Research Prize stands as a tangible reminder of both the complexity of climate challenges and the balance required to address them.

Name: Päivi Keski-Pomppu

Profession: Goldsmith & Jewelry Designer

Designing Since: 1999

Studio: Fleminginkatu 9, Helsinki, Finland

Materials: Recycled precious metals and carefully selected gemstones

Craftsmanship: Every piece is handmade by Päivi from start to finish

Values: Traditional craftsmanship, sustainability, longevity, and meaningful design

Believes: “Jewelry is more than adornment—it is a connection between generations, a carrier of memory.“