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The Duke of Sussex has publicly backed environmental activist Greta Thunberg , saying that climate change “is a race against time which we are losing”.
Arriving in Botswana’s Chobe River on day four of his royal trip to Africa, Prince Harry gave an impassioned speech on climate change in which he described planet Earth as being in a “state of emergency” and encouraged people to join the fight.
“We are losing the race against climate change. Everyone knows it. There’s no excuse for not knowing that.
“The most troubling part of it is that I don’t believe that there’s anybody in this world that can deny science – undeniable science and facts – science and facts that have been around for the last 30, maybe 40, years and it’s only getting stronger and stronger,” he said.
The Duke emphasised the urgency of the environmental situation saying, “Led by Greta, the world’s children are striking.”
Show all 14 1 /14Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) and plastic, Sicily, Italy, 2018 Oceana: the largest international advocacy organisation dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With over 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.eu.oceana.org
Oceana/Enrique Talledo
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Panda keeper gives a cub a health check at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China, 2015 Ami Vitale: a photojournalist who has been to more than 100 countries, witnessing not only violence and conflict, but also surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. She is a five-time recipient of World Press Photo awards, including 1st Prize for her 2018 National Geographic magazine story about a community in Kenya protecting elephants. www.amivitale.com/
Ami Vitale
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty PhotoVoice Just because I am a transgender women I am not invisible I am not a threat to others and I am not here to 'make' people homosexual I am not illegal - I have rights I am not judgemental and I don't want to be judged I want to be accepted and find peace with everybody. PhotoVoice: designs and delivers tailor-made participatory photography, digital storytelling, and self-advocacy projects for socially excluded groups. Photography crosses cultural and linguistic barriers and is suitable for all abilities. It's both art form and way to record facts. It can describe realities, communicate perspectives, and raise awareness of social and global issues. photovoice.org/
Ariana/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Wings of Support Wings of Support is an initiative that aims to achieve a sustainable improvement in the quality of children's lives. Like in this image sports training for children at primary schools around Cape Town in South Africa. The training increases self-awareness and motivation.
Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Oceana Fishing nets entangled in a shipwreck with an edible crab (Cancer pagurus) trapped at Borkum Stones, The Netherlands. North Sea Expedition, August 2017
Oceana/Carlos Minguell
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Amy Vitale Suyian was the first elephant rescued by the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya. Reteti is part of the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and is the first community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa. The Matthews Range where Namunyak is situated is home to Africa's second-largest elephant population. Community-based wildlife keepers there are working to rehabilitate abandoned and orphaned elephants in order to eventually return them to the nearby wild herds.
Amy Vitale
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty PhotoVoice It is hard enough to be a Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer (LBQ) woman in Uganda, but to be HIV+ too, we face double discrimination. Many hide their pain in alcohol and drug abuse. Discrimination from the community leads to self-stigmatisation and we struggle to access the services and support we need. Even the LGBTI community see us as a problem, and turn us away so that we become someone else's problem. By understanding our mental health needs and providing effective support, HIV+ LBQ women can lead healthy lives. STOP THE STIGMA
Phyl/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Wings of Support Training for children at primary schools around Cape Town
Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Oceana Deckhand Adolfo de los Ríos collecting a big piece of plastic from the seabed during his free time. Santa Maria Salina, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy, 2018
Oceana/Enrique Talledo
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Amy Vitale Here, an orphaned baby reticulated giraffe embraces wildlife keeper Lekupania. This giraffe will be rehabilitated and return to the wild, as a number of others have done before him. Right now, giraffes are undergoing what has been referred to as a silent extinction. Current estimates are that giraffe populations across Africa have dropped 40 percent in three decades, plummeting from approximately 155,000 in the late 1980s to under 100,000 today. The decline is thought to be caused by to habitat loss and fragmentation and poaching, but because there haven't been long term conservation efforts in the past, it's hard to know exactly what is happening. Reticulated giraffes themselves number fewer than 16,000 individuals. Scientists are now undertaking major studies to better understand why giraffes are disappearing and what can be done to stop it.
Ami Vitale
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty PhotoVoice The HIV prevalence in people who inject drugs is almost 3 times higher than the general population, but most people who use drugs (PUDs) boycott public HIV and health facilities through fear of arrest, stigma and discrimination. The extension of HIV services to drug hotspots and dens has the power to increase uptake of HIV services across PUD communities in Uganda. Make HIV services affordable and accessible to all - Support don't Punish
Malcolm/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Wings of Support Training for children at primary schools around Cape Town
Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty Amy Vitale In 2014, I witnessed a group of Samburu warriors encounters a rhino for the first time in their lives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. None of the warriors had ever seen a rhino in their life and some had never even seen a photo of a rhino. Their eyes got wide and they became very protective of them. The young warriors from Northern Rangelands Trust community conservancies had been visiting to learn about conservation practices such as sustainable land use, grazing programs, and endangered species conservation. Indigenous communities are the frontlines of the poaching wars.
Ami Vitale
Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty PhotoVoice At the age of 15, Carol got pregnant and contracted HIV after being convinced by her teacher that sex relieves menstrual cramps. Misinformation is harmful. Comprehensive Sexuality Education must be legalized in schools.
Naskmariz/PhotoVoice/Frontline AIDS/PITCH
Prince Harry left wife, Meghan, and baby Archie in Cape Town, South Africa, while he travelled to Botswana to participate in a tree-planting project at the country’s newest nature reserve and meet local schoolchildren.
The Duke also spoke of his affection for the Southern African nation, which he said provided a place of refuge after the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
“15 years I’ve been coming here, it’s a sense of escapism, a real sense of purpose ... I have met some of my closest friends here over the years.
“I came here in 1997 or 1998 straight after my mum died, so it was a nice place to get away from it all. I feel deeply connected to this place and to Africa,” he said.
Later today, Prince Harry will meet young people speaking up for their peers living with HIV who are supported by the Duke’s Sentebale charity in the northern city of Kasane.
Botswana has the third highest rates of HIV in the world.
Sentebale supports 1,300 young people living with HIV each month, through emotional and practical advice and peer-to-peer support.
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