Prince William has voiced serious concerns about the unprecedented challenges facing the world’s oceans, describing the situation as unlike anything previously encountered.
Addressing the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, His Royal Highness emphasized the alarming decline of marine life, urging ambitious action at global, national, and local levels.
Speaking at the Grimaldi Forum, named after Monaco’s royal family, Prince William highlighted the critical importance of healthy oceans, noting their role in oxygen generation, climate regulation, and food security for over three billion people.
He stressed the devastating impact of rising temperatures, pollution, and overfishing on marine ecosystems and the communities dependent on them.
The forum precedes the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, focusing on the oceans’ contribution to global trade, food security, and sustainable energy.
In Monaco, Prince William addressed environmentalists, scientists, and investors actively seeking to finance ocean conservation projects.
He acknowledged the challenges investors face in this sector, stating that the importance of ocean health often gets overlooked. He stressed the need to unlock the potential of the blue economy for ecological, economic, and societal benefit.
As founder of the Earthshot Prize, which annually awards £1 million to impactful climate solutions, Prince William spoke to an audience including several Earthshot winners and finalists.
Enric Sala, of the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas project and a 2021 Earthshot Prize finalist, was present. His work, featured in Sir David Attenborough’s new film, *Oceans*, was praised by Prince William as the most compelling case for immediate ocean action.
Prince William expressed deep concern over the destruction of marine habitats, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the situation and rejecting the notion of ignoring problems beyond our immediate view.
Concluding with a quote from Sir David Attenborough – “If we save the sea, we save our world” – he underscored the necessity of immediate action for future generations.
His remarks followed a recent interview with Sir David Attenborough, where the filmmaker’s new documentary was described as conveying his most important message yet.
Kensington Palace characterized Prince William’s speech as a significant intervention leveraging his influence to mobilize support and investment for ocean conservation.
During his visit to southern France, Prince William also met with President Chavez of Costa Rica, President Macron of France, and Prince Albert of Monaco, a key figure in ocean conservation and a prominent participant in the forum.
He also engaged in private discussions with ocean experts and investors.
Additional reporting by Adam Hale.
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