Prince William says getting through to politicians to tackle climate crisis is 'another story'

‘We need the action now,’ says Duke of Cambridge

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The Duke of Cambridge has spoken about his efforts to encourage powerful leaders to tackle climate change, revealing that politicians are “another story” compared to most people.

Speaking on the podcast "Outrage And Optimism", which is about climate change, Prince William explained how he hopes his £50m Earthshot Prize will address the climate crisis.

The Prince said that monarchies could play a major role in driving action in countries where "democratic systems are really struggling to pick up the responsibility".

Asked whether Prince William had used his position to drive positive change himself he replied:

“Absolutely. I think there isn't anyone who I have spoken to that isn't in (agreement) with that statement, Christiana,” he said. 

"Everyone knows this is where we're headed and these are the important issues we need to tackle.

"I think getting to those in the political world with the will to tackle things is another story."

The Duke went on to discuss teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who he described as a positive example of the "younger generation" who was a "good advocate and leading light" in the fight against climate change.

He also spoke about how environmentalism runs in his family, with both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh being long-term advocates for the planet.

“I think my family has naturally had an opportunity here to support and to be a part of the environmental debate for a long time because it's been at the forefront of a lot of conversations and a lot of issues for many, many years and people have talked about it for a long, long time,” he said.

"But we need the action now and that's what these next 10 years is about."

Earlier this month, the Duke launched the Earthshot prize, which will see more than £50m awarded over the next decade to help applicants find solutions to the world’s more pressing environmental concerns by 2030.

Prince William is calling for “amazing people” to apply with “brilliant innovative projects”.

The prize money will be split between five winners each year up until 2030, with each of them receiving £1m.

Speaking about the competition, Prince William said: "The Earthshot Prize is about finding solutions. It's about highlighting and raising people's voices and genuine, tangible solutions to some of the hardest environmental problems to face.

“And if we can do that and elevate these people to become household names, these solutions to become household solutions, then we feel we've brought an added dimension to the debate which hasn't been there before.”