Prince William launches Dubai-backed project to save planet
Britain’s Prince William launched a Dubai-backed, £50 million ($64.7m) drive to find the best climate change projects that could help to save the planet.
DP World, in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai, is among the founding partners of the Earthshot Prize, the inspiration for which was provided by British conservationist Sir David Attenborough.
The initiative has a 10-year plan designed to clean up the Earth by 2030.
Only the best environmental ideas with the biggest “wow factor” will be considered for an Earthshot accolade, said Royal Foundation chief executive Jason Knauf.
Mr Knauf said the Earthshot project was based on the theory that “urgency plus optimism equals action”.
He said that by taking pessimism out of the equation and working alongside those committed to science, the worsening climate crisis might be alleviated.
Mr Knauf said Expo 2020 Dubai was an ideal platform for the initiative.
“We have bought in philanthropy covering China, the Middle East, North America and Europe to make sure we have local expertise, and each of our partners brings expertise beyond financial support,” he said. “DP World is heavily involved with Dubai Expo and that is going to be a very important showcase for innovation and sustainable energy and technology, which is a perfect platform for the Earthshot Prize to work with.”
It is hoped the winners will inspire “everyone from a schoolchild in Africa to a boardroom in Europe”, Mr Knauf said.
Prince William said the same resources used to tackle the coronavirus pandemic should be devoted to saving the natural world.
Prince William said people who denied climate change was an environmental threat were not being sensible because the world was at a “tipping point”.
On Thursday, the Duke of Cambridge announced details of the Earthshot Prize alongside British naturalist Sir David Attenborough.
In the next decade, £50 million ($64.7m) will be distributed to the people or groups behind the best and most innovative ideas to combat environmental destruction.
DP World, in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai, is one of the founding partners of the prize, which is the most generous environmental award to date.
Prince William told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “there was no more pressing issue than the environment”.
It was his responsibility to highlight the dangers climate change posed to the world, he said.
His father, Prince Charles, has also been calling for action to tackle climate change, but Prince William said it was difficult to convince people it was a problem a few decades ago.
“He’s talked about this for a long time and long before people cottoned on to climate change,” he said.
“So, I’ve always listened to and learnt and believed in what he was saying.
“But I know it was a very hard sell 40 years ago to predict and see some of the slow-moving catastrophes we’re heading towards.”
Prince William dismissed the suggestion it was unwise for a senior member of the British royal family to become involved in issues such as climate change.
“I think the dotty person now is the person who doesn’t
believe in climate change,” he said.
Mr Attenborough said the need to find ways to combat the problem was clear to see.
“Suddenly we see the writing on the wall,” he said.
The Earthshot Prize will issue
five awards of £1m annually for the next 10 years.
Backed by philanthropists, the prizes will be awarded for the best ideas to achieve five environmental goals – protect and restore nature, clean the air, revive the oceans, build a waste-free world and fix the climate.
The initiative aims to find solutions that have a positive effect on the planet and improve living standards globally, particularly in the communities most at risk from climate change.
Prince William said he hoped the prizes would inspire people and groups around the world.
“From communities, schools, right up to banks, governments, corporations – anyone and everyone is a part of this and anyone could find the solutions that we need,” he said.
Mr Attenborough said even ideas that “may sound crackpot” were welcome.
The prize council will be made up of Prince William and people involved in entertainment, sport, business, charity work and the environment.
Prince William said the money would help people develop their ideas and make a difference to the world.
“We felt the one piece of the jigsaw that was missing was positivity,” he said.
“There are a lot of warnings and negativity, which quite rightly there is, because we’re at a critical juncture.
“But there are many people who want to do the right thing by the environment. What they need is a catalyst, a bit of hope, a bit of positivity.”