William’s ‘moment for hope’ on climate
PRINCE William said “this is a moment for hope, not fear” as he appeared alongside Sir David Attenborough in a new trailer for their upcomingtv show.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, and the renowned naturalist will host five-part BBC documentary series The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet.
It features pioneers who have been recognised for finding innovative solutions to pressing climate issues.
In the short trailer, the Queen’s grandson said: “This is a moment for hope, not fear. It’s for this very reason I launched the Earthshot Prize, the most ambitious environmental prize in history. A decade of action to repair our planet.”
Sir David, 95, told viewers in the clip released yesterday: “Just imagine what might be possible.”
In the series, the Prince will speak with winners of his prize, a global competition he launched alongsidethe Royal Foundation in October last year.
Taking inspiration from John F Kennedy’s Moonshot project, which advanced mankind’s achievements, the Prince named 15 finalists from across the globe earlier this month.
They include a 14-year-old girl from India who designed a solarpowered ironing cart; the nation of Costa Rica, which has pioneered a project paying local citizens to restore natural ecosystems; and a Chinese app that allows its citizens to hold polluters to account.
Sir David and Princewilliam both campaign on environmental issues and last September the veteran broadcaster was invited by the Duke to attend a private viewing of Attenborough’s latest documentary at Kensington Palace.
During his visit, the naturalist gave Prince George a fossilised giant tooth from an extinct shark.
The documentary will air from next Sunday and each episode will focus on a different environmental issue – protecting and restoring nature, fixing the climate, combating air pollution, reviving the oceans, and tackling waste.
Episodes will run in the build-up to the United Nations COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow, which begins on November 1. In addition to thetv series, produced by natural history filmmakers Silverback Films, a Radio 4 series, Costingthe Earth: Earthshot, will also be broadcast.
Jason Knauf, chief executive ofthe Royal Foundation, said he hopes viewers and listeners will be “inspired”.
“Over an unprecedented two-week period, television and radio audiences will be inspired by what we believe is some of the most innovative environmental programming that has ever been created,” he said.
“The series, along with the awards ceremony, will celebrate the incredible Earthshot Prize finalists, while inspiring and challenging all of us to play our part in this decisive decade for the planet.”
The awards ceremony for the inaugural Earthshot Prize at Alexandra Palace in London on October 17 will also be shown on BBC One.
Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said: “In the run-up to
COP26, there couldn’t be a more critical time to air this landmark series, and celebrate the amazing ingenuity of people.”
The series will also feature pop singer Shakira, former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, and Brazilian football star Dani
Alves.