We have 10 years to save the world

Humanity risks irreparably damaging the Earth with climate change, Prince William warned last night

Humanity risks irreparably damaging the Earth with climate change, Prince William warned last night. His dramatic intervention came as Britain recorded its hottest December day and unprecedented wildfires tore across drought-stricken Australia. William said the Earth was at a ‘tipping point’ and humans had just ten years to save the world.

We can either continue on our present course and ‘irreparably damage the planet’ or use our ‘unique power’ to solve the climate crisis for generations to come, he added. Invoking Nasa’s missions to the Moon, the prince yesterday launched an ambitious ‘Earthshot Prize’ to spearhead a decade of action. The award, which has been endorsed by Sir David Attenborough, will grant millions of pounds to those who can come up with solutions to global warming.William’s involvement signals a determination to follow his father Charles’s lead on environmental issues.

Palace officials say he hopes to build a unique coalition of scientists, economists, activists, leaders, governments, businesses, philanthropists, cities and countriesග The Earthshot Prize will celebrate the achievements of five individuals, teams or organisations each year for the next decade. Kensington Palace said William wanted the world to show the spirit of Project Apollo in the 1960s and 1970s. Nasa’s ‘Moonshot’ missions helped develop innovations such as solar panels, CAT scanners, smoke detectors and advanced water filters. William insisted that the same level of ambition and ingenuity could solve the climate crisis.

Invoking Nasa’s missions to the Moon, the prince launched an ambitious ‘Earthshot Prize’ to spearhead a decade of action.

The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve,’ he said. ‘Remember the awe-inspiring civilisations that we have built, the life-saving technology we have created, the fact we have put a man on the Moon. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.’

It is understood that the second in line to the throne consulted his father, who is arguably the Royal Family’s most passionate green campaigner, as well as his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Daily mail