Charles: Next 18 months could decide the planet’s fate

PRINCE Charles has warned that the next 18 months are critical for humanity to survive the impact of climate change.

The prince said the future of our species – as well as the world’s wildlife – could be decided in a series of crucial United Nations meetings between world leaders. They will culminate in a climate change conference expected to be held in London next year.

Charles, speaking at a reception for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference at Clarence House yesterday said: ‘I am firmly of the view that the next 18 months will decide our ability to keep climate change to survivable levels and to restore nature to the equilibrium we need for our survival.’

The meetings include the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in China, the UN secretary general’s Climate Action summit in September as well as next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. London is frontrunner to host next year’s Conference of the Parties – the key UN meeting where the actions humanity takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are negotiated.

Charles has previously been outspoken about climate change – and earlier this year it was revealed he attempted to convince US President Donald Trump of its seriousness. He also co-wrote a Ladybird book aimed at adults on the subject in 2017.

Governments around the world have pledged to limit rising temperatures to between 2C (35.6F) and 1.5C (34.7F) by 2100. However, at current rates of greenhouse gas production, the Earth’s temperature is on course to rise by between 3C (37.4F) and 5C (41F), according to the World Meteorological Organisation. The global temperature has already increased by 1C (33.8F) above pre-industrial levels.