Prince William warns oceans are ‘diminishing before our eyes’ in Monaco speech

Prince William calls for urgent action to protect world's oceansInstitut océanographique, PA

Transcript

00:00We come together today, united by our deep connection to the ocean and our

00:08concern for its safety. The truth is that healthy oceans are essential to all life

00:13on earth. They generate half of the world's oxygen, regulate our climates,

00:18and provide food for more than three billion people. And today they need our

00:25help. Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting

00:32pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the people and communities who depend

00:38most upon them. What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before

00:43our eyes. We all stand to be impacted and we are all responsible for change, both

00:51negative and positive. This challenge is like none that we have faced before, but

00:58I remain an optimist. I believe that urgency and optimism have the power to bring

01:04about the action needed to change the course of history. I'm an optimist because

01:10as the founder of the Earthshot Prize, I see the incredible examples of the ideas,

01:15innovations and technologies that are harnessing the power of the ocean whilst

01:21protecting its vitality. The actions of Earthshot Prize finalists like Enrique,

01:26Douglas, Sam and Gaeta are proof that we can collectively rise to the global

01:33challenge of reviving our oceans. The Earthshot Prize is here to demonstrate

01:38that humanity does have the tools needed. But the brilliant minds behind these

01:43inspiring solutions cannot do it alone. Let us act together with urgency and

01:49optimism while we still have the chance. For the future of our planet, for the future

01:55generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough. If we save the sea,

02:01we save our world.