Prince Harry says climate change is ‘a race against time’ as he backs Greta Thunberg
‘Led by Greta, the world’s children are striking’
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Your support makes all the difference.The Duke of Sussex has publicly backed environmental activist Greta Thunberg, saying that climate change “is a race against time which we are losing”.
Arriving in Botswana’s Chobe River on day four of his royal trip to Africa, Prince Harry gave an impassioned speech on climate change in which he described planet Earth as being in a “state of emergency” and encouraged people to join the fight.
“We are losing the race against climate change. Everyone knows it. There’s no excuse for not knowing that.
“The most troubling part of it is that I don’t believe that there’s anybody in this world that can deny science – undeniable science and facts – science and facts that have been around for the last 30, maybe 40, years and it’s only getting stronger and stronger,” he said.
The Duke emphasised the urgency of the environmental situation saying, “Led by Greta, the world’s children are striking.”
Prince Harry left wife, Meghan, and baby Archie in Cape Town, South Africa, while he travelled to Botswana to participate in a tree-planting project at the country’s newest nature reserve and meet local schoolchildren.
The Duke also spoke of his affection for the Southern African nation, which he said provided a place of refuge after the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
“15 years I’ve been coming here, it’s a sense of escapism, a real sense of purpose ... I have met some of my closest friends here over the years.
“I came here in 1997 or 1998 straight after my mum died, so it was a nice place to get away from it all. I feel deeply connected to this place and to Africa,” he said.
Later today, Prince Harry will meet young people speaking up for their peers living with HIV who are supported by the Duke’s Sentebale charity in the northern city of Kasane.
Botswana has the third highest rates of HIV in the world.
Sentebale supports 1,300 young people living with HIV each month, through emotional and practical advice and peer-to-peer support.
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