The Prince of Wales delivered a fierce attack Monday on those who doubt climate change and said it must be tackled before world poverty.
Andrew Alderson, The Telegraph 9 Mar 09;
Prince Charles, who is starting a 10-day tour of South America, spoke at a dinner in Santiago, Chile, hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the President.
"How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is habitable?" he said.
"If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented - with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies: far worse than anything which we are seeing today."
The Prince said Chile was witnessing the terrifying effects of global warming, including the shrinking of nearly 90 per cent of your glaciers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in the light of such evidence, and so much more from across the globe, I find it incomprehensible that there are those who doubt the science of climate change."
He said he believed in action not words. "We must think and act across boundaries of nation, sector, language and culture, and to do so now and with resolve."
The Prince, who the British Government reportedly wants to do more on the foreign stage, first met the President this morning with his wife.
The Prince, wearing a pale grey double-breasted suit, and the Duchess of Cornwall, in a cream crepe dress by designer Anna Valentine, were greeted by a formidable-looking guard of honour at La Moneda Palace.
The Prince and the Duchess began the day by paying their respects at the monument to Bernardo O'Higgins, the founding father of Chile.
O'Higgins was the first leader of his country after Chileans repelled the Spanish nearly 200 years ago.
After meeting the President, the couple visited an energy centre campaign at Parque Bustamente.
Prince Charles admired various devices that children had invented to save energy and thereby help protect the environment.
The couple carried out eight engagements today on their first full day of the tour, which will also include Brazil and Ecuador, where they will visit the Galapagos Islands.
The Prince alone also attended a round table discussion on climate change when he will be joined by 25 business leaders.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office wants to use the Prince's expertise, experience and contacts more from now on in "soft diplomacy" abroad.
Some diplomats feel he is an asset that has been under-used. The Prince's views on climate change and the environment are widely admired by world leaders.
On Thursday, in Brazil, Prince Charles will deliver a keynote speech when he will warn the world has less than 100 months to act if it is to avoid irreversible damage from climate change.
Climate change must be tackled before global poverty, says Prince Charles
The Prince of Wales has delivered a fierce attack on those who doubt climate change and said it must be tackled before world poverty.
Andrew Alderson The Telegraph 10 Mar 09;
The Prince spoke at a dinner in hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the President, for 300 guests from the world of politics, business and the arts.
“How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is habitable?” he said.
“If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented - with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies: far worse than anything which we are seeing today.”
The Prince said Chile was witnessing “the terrifying effects of global warming, including the shrinking of nearly 90 per cent of your glaciers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in the light of such evidence, and so much more from across the globe, I find it incomprehensible that there are those who doubt the science of climate change.”
The Prince is taking on an enhanced role as an international statesman because the British Government wants him to do more to promote its key interests abroad, particularly on climate change and the environment.
Later today the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit a vinyard producing organic wine.
He said he believed in action not words. “We must think and act across boundaries of nation, sector, language and culture, and to do so now and with resolve.”
Britain's Prince Charles Sees Time Running Out To Save Planet
Simon Gardner, PlanetArk 11 Mar 09;
SANTIAGO - Time is running out to save the world from the ravages of climate change and prevent economic meltdown and a flood of environmental refugees, Britain's Prince Charles has warned on a visit to Chile.
The Prince of Wales, and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, are in Chile at the start of a Latin American tour to promote energy efficiency and measures to combat climate change.
"If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented, with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies -- far worse than anything which we are seeing today," he told a gala dinner hosted by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet late on Monday.
Charles argues sustainable development projects could help stimulate the global economy as it battles crisis. "How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is actually inhabitable?" he said.
Charles, heir to the British throne, has long advocated urgent measures to reduce carbon emissions and has also proposed issuing long-dated bonds to help fund sustainable development projects in countries where tropical rainforest is being wiped out.
He and his wife were set to visit the port city of Valparaiso on Tuesday and an organic vineyard later in the day, before flying on to Brazil on Wednesday and then later on to Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, which were central to 19th century British naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
(Editing by Frances Kerry)
