Generations yet unborn need us to act – Charles
PRINcE charles made an impassioned plea to stop climate change for ‘generations yet unborn’ as he spoke ahead of the cop26 summit.
In a rare political intervention, the heir to the throne told world leaders that it was ‘impossible not to hear the despairing voices of young people’ demanding action.
he warned that the summit in Glasgow is the ‘last-chance saloon’ to limit global warming.
Speaking to the G20 summit in Rome yesterday, the Prince of Wales also called for trillions of dollars of investment by companies into new technology. In his
‘Viability of their future’
starkest warning yet on climate change, he told world leaders: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, cop26 begins in Glasgow tomorrow.
‘Quite literally, it is the lastchance saloon. We must now translate fine words into still finer actions.
‘As the enormity of the climate challenge dominates people’s conversations, and as the future of humanity and nature herself are at stake, it is surely time to set aside our differences and grasp this unique opportunity to launch a substantial green recovery by putting the global economy on a confident, sustainable trajectory and, thus, save our planet.’
he added: ‘The planet’s health today will dictate the health, happiness and economic prosperity of generations to come – hence our overwhelming responsibility to generations yet unborn. It is also impossible not to hear the despairing voices of young people who see you as the stewards of the planet, holding the viability of their future in your hands.’
Prince charles told the politicians that the private sector is ‘eager’ to work with them and ‘ready to play a hugely significant and game-changing role’.
he said solutions to major issues ‘seem possible only if there is a much closer partnership between Government, the main multilateral banks, the private sector and its investors’. calling for trillions of dollars of investment, he said businesses need guarantees from leaders before they invest in technology.
he added that after almost 50 years of his own efforts in trying to raise awareness of the growing crisis ‘I am at last sensing a change in attitudes and the build-up of positive momentum’. Today, the prince will welcome leaders to cop26 where he will deliver the opening address. The Queen was due to attend but has been advised to rest.