Wills: Only 10 years to stop irreversible damage to planet

THE Duke of Cambridge last night said the rapid development of Covid vaccines shows the world can stop climate change.

But he warned we only have 10 years or “we will cause irreversible damage”.

In a speech recorded for an American environmental organisation’s virtual gala dinner, hosted by British film star Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, he set out his faith in mankind’s ability to find solutions to the greatest challenges facing our planet.

William, 38, was speaking to supporters of Conservation

International, one of his partners in the Earthshot Prize, which will award £50million over the next 10 years to organisations and individuals who produce green technological innovations.

He said: “If we do not act decisively in the next 10 years, we will cause irreversible damage to our planet.

“This damage will not be felt equally by everyone.

“It is the most vulnerable, those with the fewest resources, and those who have done the least to cause climate change, who will continue to be impacted the most.

“But rather than being despondent about these challenges, let us instead take our lead from the many millions of young people around the world who have made this cause their own and say enough is enough.”

William added: “I truly believe that humans have an extraordinary capacity to set goals and strive to achieve them. The remarkable development of the Covid-19 vaccine in record time is a case in point.

“That is why I founded the Earthshot Prize. Over the next 10 years, the Earthshot Prize will incentivise, reward and scale solutions and innovations to solve the greatest environmental challenges of our time.”

William’s prize has set five ambitious goals for the end of the decade: protect and restore nature; clean our air; revive our oceans; build a waste-free world, and fix our climate.

“We want to find the brightest minds and boldest ideas that will help us to achieve these Earthshots. But it will require our collective energy, determination and optimism to get there,” he said.

“Together, I’m confident we can begin to heal our planet, protect nature and improve lives for billions of people – today and for generations to come.”

‘Let us take our lead from young’