Prince Charles expresses concerns for his grandchildren’s future as climate change reaches “tipping point”
Prince Charles was extremely candid about the risk of climate change as he gave a speech at Lincoln University in New Zealand.
He admitted that he fears for his grandchildren’s future as “we face an urgent global crisis”.
“For the past 40-50 years, I have been driven by an overwhelming desire not to be confronted by my grandchildren demanding to know why I didn't do anything to prevent them being bequeathed a poisoned and destroyed planet,” he said.
The grandchildren in question are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, Prince Louis, one and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s child Archie.
The Prince of Wales has been a keen climate change activist for years and said that humanity is at “a tipping point”.
“If we were to think about nature and her assets as humanity's own bank account, it is clear that we have been on a dizzying spending spree for centuries.
“We now find ourselves dangerously overdrawn and urgently need to figure out how we are going to repay the mounting debt,” he explained.
“And, if we were to think of this planet as a patient, any self-respecting doctor would long ago have made a precautionary intervention on the basis of the symptoms displayed.”
Prince Charles urged those listening that they “must be bold” in their choices that will impact future generations.
"We simply must be bold and we must make choices that are right for the future, not just convenient for today. We must think seven generations ahead, and start thinking and acting in the interests of our grandchildren, great grandchildren and those that will follow them.
“How much longer can we dither and delay?"
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in New Zealand on the 17th of November to kick off their week-long royal tour.