THE Prince of Wales said watching humans destroy our oceans was “simply heartbreaking” as he urged world leaders to act by thinking big yesterday.
William‘s call came in a speech to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on ocean preservation at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco after meeting France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
Prince William meets France’s President Emmanuel Macron[/caption]
The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending were “united by our deep connection to the ocean and our concern for its safety”.
William, in navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the clock was ticking on meeting the target agreed at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit aiming to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
Speaking at the heads of state and government session on the forum’s final day, the prince added: “Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking.
“For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: ‘If we save the sea, we save our world’.
“I call on all of you to think big in your actions.”
World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William chatting with Mr Macron and other dignitaries.
Addressing an audience of 1,800, William said: “Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on fragile ecosystems.
“What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes.
“We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change — both negative and positive.
“But there remains time to turn this tide.”
Later, William said he went through a range of emotions when he saw Sir David’s new Ocean film.
He told Enric Sala, who worked on the film: “I got angry, then sad, then I got frustrated, then I got happy.”
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