The Duke of Cambridge described himself as a “stubborn optimist”, insisting on the possibility of “huge strides being made” in solving the planet’s environmental problems.
William was speaking on Climate Of Change podcast, co-hosted and hosted by Cate Blanchett.
The duke stated that his father’s and grandfather’s passion for the natural world “piqued his interest”. He recalled boyhood memories of climbing trees and digging ditches, and being out in “wild and wet”.
Blanchett stated that he seemed “quite optimistic” that we could “work out of what appears to be a crise”, but the duke responded by quoting ChristianaFigueres, chairperson of the board of trustees for the environmental Earthshot Prize. He said he felt like an “inflexible optimist”.
He said, “She has given to me a lot hope that this can be happen and I believe it, as I’m seeing it with mine own eyes. It’s so inspiring and hopeful. And I believe we can make big strides.
“The Earthshot is to me a team game in the same way that it is to Cate. I told the prize council members that it was a team game and that it was everyone contributing and supporting what we are trying to do. It’s all of us together.
“It would be great if climate change and environmental issues could be tackled in the same collective spirit.
“I really believe it can happen in much faster time than we anticipate because there are solutions out there. These problems have real solutions.
Last year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony took place at Alexandra Palace in London.
The first Earthshot Prize ceremony was held last October at the Alexandra Palace in London and £1m in prize money was given to each of the five category winners.
The venue for this year’s ceremony is yet to be determined.
William stated that he would like to concentrate on scaling up the competition’s inaugural winner and would like to see more solutions for the planet’s repair led by women and indigenous communities, as this year’s nominees.
He stated, “What I would love to personally see is more women-led and indigenous community-led solutions.”
“But these next nine month, we have to really focus on the scaling of the 2021 winners, finalists, that is what’s really important for us – that is the game changing nature what the Earthshot Prize aims to be about.”