'We cannot allow this': Prince Charles backs fight to protect ocean from plastic waste

The Prince of Wales speaks during a meeting of business leaders to discuss plastic waste
AFP/Getty Images
Robert Jobson31 January 2018

Prince Charles today said he was "encouraged" that the fight to keep plastics out of the oceans is gaining momentum and public support.

Charles told an audience at the British Academy that even though the challenge was "extremely grave and urgent" he was pleased the issue is now on the global agenda.

He said: "I must say that even though the challenge at hand is extremely grave and urgent, I for one at least find some encouragement from the fact that the legacy of plastic in the environment is now very much on the global agenda and in the public consciousness.

He said over the last few years, the awareness and science about the negative impacts of plastic waste in our ocean have grown significantly.

He went on: "It seems to me that the responsible use and re-use of plastic is similar to so many other environmental issues in that they are discussed and negotiated at a global level, but require individual action and local commitments truly to enact change at the end of the day. A good start has I think been made.

Plastic pollution in the Thames

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"The matter of plastic debris in the environment, in particular the ocean, is now on the agenda. We do, however, need to keep it there, this is the key."

But he warned: "The nightmare result of eight million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean every year is set to get worse rather than better. We cannot, indeed must not, allow this situation to continue."

"Many of you, I know, shared my deep frustration that the world was seemingly just turning a blind eye to this mounting evidence.

"Thankfully, the level of concern has now changed," he said.

He praised Sky's "Ocean Rescue Campaign" for helping bring this issue into living rooms and classrooms around the world.

He went on: "Now, a very welcome consequence of plastic's new-found prominence has been the stimulating of an ever-more intense discussion on what to do about it.

"Last year I was delighted to learn of the outcomes from a workshop that my International Sustainability Unit and Common Seas held on the important role of design and innovation in the plastic value chain.

"I believe that many of you here today managed to attend that workshop and I am so pleased that, despite the complexity and scale of this issue, you are still here and committed to enabling the change that is required.

"I am beginning to find some encouragement from the fact that a more integrated and joined-up approach is starting to unfold, with real leadership being shown by many individuals who are placing their intellectual, organisational, political and, indeed, financial capital into fostering integrated and collaborative efforts," he said.

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