'They need our help': Prince William issues urgent call to protect world's oceans
The Prince of Wales today called for the world to 'act together with urgency' to protect the oceans because 'If we save the sea, we save our world'.
Prince William delivered a keynote speech at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco on World Oceans Day to an audience including President Macron of France, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, President Chavez of Costa Rica and Prince Albert of Monaco.
He said: 'The truth is that healthy oceans are essential to all life on earth. They generate half of the world's oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than 3 billion people.
'And today, they need our help.
'Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems…and on the people and communities who depend most upon them.
'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change – both negative and positive.
'But there remains time to turn this tide.'
The event is bringing together business leaders, government representatives, multilateral institutions and stakeholders committed to restoring the health of the oceans.
The future King is attending the forum in his role as founder of The Earthshot Prize, which was launched in 2020 to recognise and scale up ideas to help protect the planet.
The competition, which annually awards five finalists with £1 million to develop their ideas, will be held in Brazil later this year as it reaches its halfway point.
Prince William said: 'The Earthshot Prize is here to demonstrate that humanity does have the tools needed. But the brilliant minds behind these inspiring solutions cannot do it alone.
'They need scaling, support and investment to reach their potential. And they need to be backed by ambitious action on a global, national and local level.
'Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions.
'Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.
"For the future of our planet. For the future generations. We must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world.'
The Prince met Earthshot Prize finalists and winners ahead of delivering his speech, including Enric Sala from Pristine Seas who was involved in the new film 'Ocean with David Attenborough'.
Speaking about the film, Prince William said: 'I was very emotional after watching it. I got angry, then I got sad, then I got frustrated, then I got happy – every single range of emotions.
'It was really powerful. I'm working out how to show my children as well.'
Prince William, who opened and closed his speech in French, told the forum: 'Enric is also part of the team behind Sir David Attenborough's incredible new film. It makes the most compelling argument for immediate action that I have ever seen.
'Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to baron deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking.
'For many, it is an urgent wake up call to just what is going on in our oceans. But it can no longer be a matter of 'out of sight, out of mind'.
'The need to act to protect our ocean is now in full view.
'As ever, Sir David leaves us with a sense optimism that all is not lost. He believes change is possible.
'Put simply: the ocean is under enormous threat, but it can revive itself. But, only if together, we act now."
A new film was released on Saturday of Prince William in conversation with Sir David Attenborough discussing the new documentary which has become available for streaming globally today, to coincide with World Oceans Day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
14 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The Regulars review – charming and funny workplace comedy at a the Prince Charles cinema
'More than just a cheap ticket,' it says on the marquee above the Prince Charles in London's Leicester Square – a cinema beloved for showing cult films, sing-alongs and all-night movie marathons. The Prince Charles is a favourite of Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino, and when news emerged it was threatened with closure earlier this year, more than 165,000 people signed a petition. Now comes a black-and-white movie, a work-based comedy following a fictionalised day in the life of the Prince Charles, shot by Fil Freitas, whose day job is duty manager at the cinema. On paper, that sounds annoyingly smug and self-conscious. But The Regulars turns out to be sweet and charming, and absolutely hilarious in places, with the easygoing, natural feel of a Richard Linklater film. Freitas shot the whole thing for £6,000, filming at night, when the cinema was closed. His cast is a mix of friends and family, alongside Prince Charles staff and a few professionals. On the whole, they give funny, relaxed performances. Freitas plays Fil, a film school graduate working at the Prince Charles. After sleeping in, Fil's day gets off to a bad start and he arrives late – meaning he has to sign into the late book, a semi-serious attempt at discipline by cinema manager Sam (Ricardo Freitas). Not much happens. A customer finding a dead rat on the floor in screen two is the action high point. But one of the joys of the film is the banter between the staff who work at the cinema, while they wait to break into the creative industries. Fil is a film-maker; his girlfriend and co-worker Dusty (Dusty Keeney) is a photographer. My favourite is Rob (Robert Smith), who resembles an angry Paul Mescal: he is legendary for his rudeness to customers, shouting at anyone who crunches too loudly during a screening. What keeps staff working at the Prince Charles is clearly a passion for cinema, not a commitment to customer service. They all share a casual disdain for customers, including their oddball regulars, who seem to be mostly shuffling older men who lug around multiple carrier bags. The Regulars would make a great television sitcom – cinema's version of Black Books. The Regulars is in UK cinemas from 22 August.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Britney Spears sings off-key Prince song in strange performance from California mansion
Britney Spears has sung an off-key rendition of Prince 's ' Kiss ' from her California mansion. Sharing the performance on Instagram to her 41.8 million followers on Monday (18 August), the singer can be seen walking into frame whilst belting out 'I don't know who I am', as she adjusts the ring light next to her camera. She captioned the post: 'I would say, Julia Roberts singing Prince's 'Kiss' off key a touch, but I sounded really good behind the lens lol.' Spears appears to refer to Roberts' character singing the song in the 1990 film ' Pretty Woman '. Wearing a crop top, some white shorts, and a pair of thigh high boots, the 43-year-old said she was wearing her pyjamas to clean, though added that it was 'not the most elegant look'.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Fresh royal family row as King's cousin launches astonishing attack on his 87-year-old mother and accuses her of being 'lazy': RICHARD EDEN'S DIARY
Lord Ivar Mountbatten seems to have taken a leaf out of Prince Harry 's book. For the television personality has chosen to attack his family in public. Lord Ivar, 62, who became the first member of the extended Royal Family to enter into a same-sex union in 2018, has given an astonishing interview in which he admits he does not like his mother, the Marchioness of Milford Haven, whom he accuses of being 'lazy'.
