Prince of Wales attacks climate change doubters—said it must be tackled before world poverty

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/4965041/Prince-of-Wales-attacks-climate-change-doubters.html

Prince of Wales attacks climate change doubters

The Prince of Wales delivered a fierce attack Monday on those who doubt climate change and said it must be tackled before world poverty.

By Andrew Alderson in Santiago
Last Updated: 11:38PM GMT 09 Mar 2009

Prince Charles, who is starting a 10-day tour of South America, spoke at a dinner in Santiago, Chile, hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the President.

"How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is habitable?" he said.

"If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented - with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies: far worse than anything which we are seeing today."

The Prince said Chile was witnessing the terrifying effects of global warming, including the shrinking of nearly 90 per cent of your glaciers.

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[jwirr]

1. He has always been a good spokesman for environmental issues

and I am glad to see that he is connecting the dots to poverty. We already have environmental refugees from global warming as agriculture in Africa is devastated. Unless they can somehow begin to grow much of their own food they are going to be done when oil peak ends the easy transportation of crops and supplies from other areas.

[GliderGuider]

3. I share your sentiment about the Prince.

Lending his royalty to the issue is a very important boost.

Regarding Africa, I did an analysis a while ago that looked at Africa's possible near term future given all the intersecting problems they face. It was tremendously sobering, and makes your point very clearly. In fact, it paints such a bleak picture that it was was the last such exercise I undertook.

Africa in 2040: The Darkened Continent.

[jwirr]

4. I earmarked your study so I can read it later. Our family supports

a foster child in Africa and sometime I feel very depressed about his chance of survival. But they are better with our help than without.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. As I've so often said...

...if we don't have a habitable planet, all other issues are moot.

[Nihil]

5. K & R ...

> "How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured
> our planet is habitable?" he said.

Full marks for cutting through the bullshit and raising the real issue.
:applause:

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I wonder if he has read "Ishmael."

Just finished it a few minute ago and my mind is reeling so please forgive me for going off on that litte tangent.

This is one of the things I love about listening to BBC World Service radio though. I cannot recall hearing the phrase global "warming" unless it is from an American talking head. Everyone else refers to it correctly as global "climate change." If I hear one more person smirk about "so-called global warming" when they hear about an unseasonable snowstorm I'll likely scream.

[GliderGuider]

7. That book completely rocked my world

Reading it two years ago felt like satori. It was the beginning of my transformation, as it has been for so many others. Now read "The Story of B".