Senior royal correspondent
The prince of Wales has described the challenge to protect the oceans of the world, “There is no one that we have never encountered before.”
In a speech to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, Prince William said that the life on the ocean floor was “decreasing before our eyes” and for ambitious action “for a global, national and local level”.
In the Grimaldi Forum, named after the royal family of Monaco, Rajkumar spoke in both English and French as he was at risk.
“The truth is that healthy oceans are essential for all life on Earth. They generate half of the world’s oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than three billion people,” he said.
Rising temperatures, pollution and overfvinging are causing huge losses to the world’s oceans and communities that trust them.
The platform comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference in UNS, France this week, with events that play the role of oceans in global trade, food security and permanent energy.
In Monaco on Sunday, Rajkumar was talking to audiences of environmentalists, scientists and investors – many of whom have traveled there in terms of financing ocean protection projects.
Prince William admitted that investing in sea work could be a difficult proposal for investors.
“All often, it can feel away and disconnect from our everyday life, forgetting us how important it is,” he said. “We should realize the ability of our ecosystem, our economies and blue economy for our communities.”
The Prince was speaking as the founder of the Economot Award, which gives five £ 1M prizes each year for the best solution of the largest climate challenges.
RootsMany economists were the winners and the previous finalists were in the audience.
Enrich Sala of the National Geographic Society’s Pristin Case Project was a finalist in 2021 and has worked to protect marine life.
He is also part of the team that has produced Sir David Attenborough’s new film, Ochiyan, which Prince William has described as “the most compelling argument for immediate action”.
“Looking at human activity reduces beautiful sea forests for barren deserts based on our oceans,” the prince said.
“For many people, what is going on in our oceans is an essential wake up call for it. But it can no longer be a matter of ‘out of sight, out of mind’.”
He said that action requires action for future generations and has been quoted by Sir David.
“If we save the sea, we save our world.”
Prince interviewed Sir David at the premiere of oceans last month, with the film Its manufacturer is described as the “biggest message” [Sir David] Have you ever told ”.
Kensington Palace described the speech as a “landmark intervention” by Prince William, using its platform to generate changes and bring to investment to increase ocean solutions.
In southern France, Rajkumar met Costa Rica President Chavez, French President Macron and Monaco’s Prince Albert – a supporter of projects of several oceans and a prominent player on stage.
Prince William will also participate in a closed session, privately held with ocean experts and investors.
Additional reporting by Adam Hale.
