Prince William claims decade is 'most consequential period in history' in climate change TED Talk
claimed this decade is the 'most consequential period in history' as he urged everyone to take action against and help repair the planet in a virtual TED Talk to promote his new Earthshot Prize. The Duke of Cambridge, 38, said the world's response to the global pandemic has proved what can be achieved when those in positions of power 'come together and decide to act'. Speaking during - the first free and virtual TED Conference devoted entirely to championing and accelerating solutions to the climate crisis - father-of-three William said failing to take action now means the damage humans have done to the planet will be 'irreversible'. Stood beneath a magnificent oak tree The science is irrefutable. If we do not act in this decade, the damage that we have done will be irreversible and the effects felt not just by future generations, but by all of us alive today. 'And what's more, this damage will not be felt equally by everyone. It is the most vulnerable, those with the fewest resources, and those who have done the least to cause climate change, who will be impacted the most. 'These stark facts are terrifying. How can we hope to fix such massive, intractable problems? It may seem overwhelming. But it is possible.' William highlighted how, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals have been built overnight and billions of pounds have been poured into searching for a vaccine and better treatments. e've been inspired by heroes emerging in every community across the world,' he added. 'Young people no longer believe that change is too difficult. They've witnessed the world turn on its head. They believe that the climate crisis and the threat to our biodiversity deserves our full attention and ambition. And they're right.' It seemed crazy,' he explained. 'We had only just launched the first satellite. Putting a man on the moon, that quickly, seemed impossible. But this simple challenge encompassed so much. 'He called it a goal to 'organise and measure the best of our energies and skills'. In taking that giant leap for mankind, the team behind the moonshot united millions of people around the world in awe that this crazy ambition wasn't so crazy after all. And along the way, it helped the invention of breathing equipment, CAT scanners and solar panels. 'But now, rather than a moonshot for this decade - we need Earthshots. We must harness that same spirit of human ingenuity and purpose and turn it with laser sharp focus and urgency on the most pressing challenge we have ever faced repairing our planet. 'The shared goals for our generation are clear. Together we must protect and restore nature, clean our air, revive our oceans, build a waste-free world and fix our climate.... And we must strive to do all of this in a decade. 'If we achieve these goals, by 2030 our lives won't be worse, and we won't have to sacrifice everything we enjoy. Instead, the way we live will be healthier, cleaner, smarter and better for all of us.' The prince concluded by saying he is determined to start and end this decade as an 'optimist'. Referencing the 900-year-old trees surrounding him in the ground of Windsor, he went on: 'Whilst our generation represents just a blip in the lifetime of these magnificent oaks, we have the power and potential to ensure that they, and all life on earth, thrive for another thousand years and more. 'But only if we now unleash the greatest talents of our generation to repair our planet. We have no choice but to succeed.' The Earthshot Prize aims to find new solutions that work on every level, have a positive effect on environmental change and improve living standards globally, particularly for communities who are most at risk from climate change. Prizes could be awarded to a wide range of individuals, teams or collaborations scientists, activists, economists, community projects, leaders, governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries anyone whose workable solutions make a substantial contribution to achieving the Earthshots. The five Earthshots are: Protect and restore nature, Clean our air, revive our oceans, build a waste-free world, and fix our climate. Each Earthshot is underpinned by scientifically agreed targets - including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other internationally recognised measures to help repair our planet. Together, they form a unique set of challenges rooted in science, which aim to generate new ways of thinking, as well as new technologies, systems, policies and solutions. By bringing these five critical issues together, The Earthshot Prize recognises the interconnectivity between environmental challenges and the urgent need to tackle them together. This week William unveiled his team of high-profile environmental activists, philanthropic leaders and A-listers that are members of The Earthshot Prize Council. The Earthshot Prize Council is a list of influential individuals from a wide range of different sectors, all of whom are committed to championing positive action in the environmental space. The Duke will be joined on the team by celebrities and royalty including Queen Rania Al Abdullah, popstar Shakira and actor Cate Blanchett on the council. In a video clip meeting with the council, the royal joked: 'I'm a very boring coach on the corner at the moment, looking for some very skillful players to help me beat the opposition and we've got a really wonderful team put together on the council.' Others on the council include athletes, professional footballer Dani Alves and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and environmentalist Yao Ming, as well as environmental activists including Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim and Christiana Figueres. In an Instagram post shared on the Kensington Royal page, the royal posted: 'The @Earthshotprize council is a diverse, broad range of people from all around the world who I've been talking to over the last few weeks and months. 'We've got a really fantastic council together.' A Palace source said: '[William's] confidence has grown over time he's not naturally the boldest individual in asserting things and himself. But what he has realised is that he has a role to play, a global leadership role to play, and now is the time to play it.' In the coming months, further members of The Earthshot Prize Council will be announced as the global coalition supporting the Prize expands. Every year from 2021 until 2030, The Earthshot Prize Council will award The Earthshot Prize to five winners, one per Earthshot. They will be supported by a distinguished panel of experts will support the judging process, making recommendations to the Prize Council who will select the final winners. Speaking after her announcement on the council, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah said: 'Seen from outer space, our planet is borderless; the same can be said for the greatest challenges we face today. 'For too long, we have neglected our shared world, and today we are reaping the shared consequences. None of us can opt out of the damaging ramifications of climate change, pollution, or resource depletion. 'And while the situation is urgent, it is not hopeless. When our backs are against the wall, humanity has a knack for coming together to find innovative solutions. 'We push back and power through. I am hopeful that platforms such as the Earthshot Prize will help us do just that.' Meanwhile Shakira said: 'Your children, my children they have to find ways to reduce carbon emissions, to repair our oceans, to clean the air. So we need young minds to be informed and invested, which is why education is so important. But we can't just stand still. 'We have to lead the way and we have to do it now. I know it's ambitious and I know there will be so many challenges along the way but I also know there will be so many who will rise to the occasion.' In an interview with CNN this week, William said that Prince Charles, 71, and the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, had inspired his interest in the natural world. He said: 'My grandfather started doing stuff with conservation a long time ago, WWF, my father was ahead of his time talking about climate change. 'I don't want to be ahead of my time because we are already too late. Now is the time to act. 'My children look to me and ask me lot of questions, they love the natural world. 'And they want to know answers and want to know why there is so much negativity and why is everyone so worried and how bad can it get? 'And I want to turn round to them and say, 'we have solutions, we can find a way through this'. 'Human ingenuity and human spirit and innovation is huge. We put a man on the moon, we can do this. 'Going through Covid has been horrendous for people and we have lost a lot of people, very sadly. I think what Covid has taught us is that this is the first difficult time that my generation and younger generations have faced. 'Obviously older generations have been through the war and there is nothing like that. It was truly horrendous. But this has been a tricky time for everyone. 'If there is one ray of light that can come out of this is that people have been outside more, they have experienced nature, they have heard the birds because the aeroplanes have been less and the roads have been calmer. 'And I hope people at the moment connect and realise how special the green and natural world around them is. I think if we can find the money, and the collaboration and the willpower to tackle Covid like we have done, we can do this for the environment as well.' As well as identifying evidence-based solutions to the biggest environmental problems the planet faces, The Earthshot Prize aims to turn the current pessimism surrounding environmental issues into optimism that we can rise to the biggest challenges of our time. It is the biggest initiative to date from both Prince William and The Royal Foundation and was first introduced on 31st December 2019. Nominations will open on 1st November, with over 100 nominating partners from across the world being invited to submit nominations of those individuals, communities, businesses and organisations who could win The Earthshot Prize. Nominators will include the Global Alliance but also academic and non-profit institutions from across the world who have been selected for their ability to identify the most impactful solutions to the Earthshots. The 5-stage prize process to select a winner for each Earthshot has been designed in partnership with the Centre for Public Impact and a range of international experts. Nominations will be screened as part of an independent assessment process run by Deloitte, the implementation partner. A distinguished panel of experts will support the judging process, making recommendations to the Prize Council who will select the final winners. An awards ceremony will take place in different cities across the world each year between 2021 and 2030, at which the five winners for each of the Earthshots will be selected from 15 finalists. The first awards ceremony will take place in London in autumn 2021. After the awards, each winner will receive a global platform and prestigious profile, with their stories being showcased over the decade and the ambition that their solutions lead to mass adoption, replication and scaling. The 1 million in prize money will support environmental and conservation projects that are agreed with the winners. Shortlisted nominees will also be given tailored support and opportunities to help scale their work, including being connected with an ecosystem of likeminded individuals and organisations.