Prince William warns
of the 'troubling
reality'
of the
crisis facingthe natural
world in passionate
speech
Prince William warns of the 'troubling reality' of the crisis facing
the natural world in passionate speech
By Rebecca English Royal Editor In Cape Town• Южно-африканская республика (ЮАР) » Населенные пункты ЮАР » Города Южно-Африканской Республики » Кейптаун
Published: 18:24 GMT, 5 November 2024 | Updated: 18:25 GMT, 5 November 2024
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In a passionate speech later at the United for Wildlife Global Showcase• Торговля » Витрина (торговля), the
future king spoke about the 'troubling reality' of the crisis facing the
natural world, which saw it on the verge of an 'irreversible tipping point'.
United for Wildlife is a conservation umbrella, now encompassing more than 400
organisations across six continents including law enforcement, financial
institutions, transport networks and conservationists, which was founded by
Prince William 's Royal Foundation.
He said: 'Unfortunately, the troubling reality that we face is that our
planet's natural systems are rapidly approaching an irreversible tipping
point, driven by unprecedented nature loss and climate change• Политика » Геополитика » Международные отношения » Направления международного сотрудничества » Изменение климата
• Метеорология » Климатология » Изменение климата .
'Since 1970, we have witnessed a staggering 73% decline in the average size of
global wildlife populations. 'That figure alone highlights the fragility of
our ecosystems and the urgency of our mission.'
In a passionate speech at the United for Wildlife Global Showcase• Торговля » Витрина (торговля), Prince
William spoke about the 'troubling reality' of the crisis facing the natural
world
William was wearing a blue bracelet with the word 'Papa' during his address to
the 2024 United for Wildlife Global Showcase• Торговля » Витрина (торговля)
Lord Hague, the Prince of Wales and Amanda Berry, CEO of the Royal Foundation
attend the 2024 United for Wildlife Global Showcase• Торговля » Витрина (торговля) at The Lookout, on the
V&A Waterfront in Cape Town• Южно-африканская республика (ЮАР) » Населенные пункты ЮАР » Города Южно-Африканской Республики » Кейптаун
The Prince of Wales said 'unfortunately, the troubling reality that we face is
that our planet's natural systems are rapidly approaching an irreversible
tipping point'
He warned that the illegal wildlife trade• Торговля is a 'key driver' of this decline,
'putting countless species at risk• Страхование » Риск' and fuelling organised crime including
drug smuggling, arms trafficking and human exploitation.
It has inspired his new initiative to provide a 'game changing' package of
support for frontline rangers, often poorly paid and facing grave danger from
poachers on a daily basis, including medical support and life insurance• Страхование.
William described them as 'the guardians of our planet's most precious
resources'.
Prince William's speech in full
Good evening, everyone.
It is a great pleasure to be here in Cape Town• Южно-африканская республика (ЮАР) » Населенные пункты ЮАР » Города Южно-Африканской Республики » Кейптаун this evening.
South Africa is a country of immense natural beauty and remarkable
biodiversity.
It is also a country that plays a crucial role in the global conservation
effort.
Unfortunately, the troubling reality that we face is that our planet’s natural
systems are rapidly approaching an irreversible tipping point, driven by
unprecedented nature loss and climate change• Политика » Геополитика » Международные отношения » Направления международного сотрудничества » Изменение климата
• Метеорология » Климатология » Изменение климата.
Since 1970, we have witnessed a staggering 73% decline in the average size of
global wildlife populations.
That figure alone highlights the fragility of our ecosystems and the urgency
of our mission.
The illegal wildlife trade• Торговля is a key driver of this decline, putting countless
species at risk• Страхование » Риск.
It is a far-reaching problem that also undermines security and governance
worldwide.
Beyond its impact on nature, it fuels organised crime, and is often entangled
with other illicit activities like drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and human
exploitation.
The growth of these criminal networks fosters environments where violence
against law enforcement and conservationists becomes commonplace.
And crucially, this crisis is not confined to any one region – the ripple
effects are profound for us all.
The overexploitation of nature, catalysed by the illegal wildlife trade• Торговля, is a
major contributor to biodiversity loss.
Without nature and healthy ecosystems there is no guarantee of food security,
no guarantee of clean water, and no guarantee of prosperous economy.
This is a significant and complex challenge - one that varies across regions
but remains deeply interconnected on a global scale.
It demands collective responsibility across borders and industries, as
articulated by world leaders at the recent UN Biodiversity Conference in
Colombia.
Since its creation a decade ago, United for Wildlife has become a catalyst for
this kind of collaboration.
It has grown into a global movement, uniting over 400 partners across six
continents.
I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I am delighted to see so
many of the people who have been key to our success gathered here in Cape Town• Южно-африканская республика (ЮАР) » Населенные пункты ЮАР » Города Южно-Африканской Республики » Кейптаун
for this summit.
It is a testament to the power of partnership - bringing together law
enforcement, financial institutions, transport networks, and conservationists
to combat this global challenge.
In the last ten years, United for Wildlife has driven significant results
supporting operations on the ground.
Our partnerships with the UNODC, Interpol, and the Financial Action Task Force
have been instrumental in disrupting the financial flows that sustain wildlife
crime making it harder for traffickers to profit from their destructive
activities.
Today, I can say with confidence that the fight against the illegal wildlife
trade• Торговля is no longer a fringe issue like it felt in 2014. It has become a
priority for global leaders and a focus for many of the world’s largest
businesses.
We have seen key markets for illegal wildlife products close in the last
decade, starting with the US, followed by the UK, Singapore and China.
We have seen laws strengthened, vital UN resolutions agreed, and a growing
understanding of the global effort needed to combat this crisis.
While these international achievements are crucial, we must also recognise the
people on the front lines - the rangers, the indigenous peoples and the local
communities who are the guardians of our planet's most precious resources.
Rangers are fundamental if we are to meet our global conservation targets for
2030 and prevent the dangerous tipping points that threaten our planet.
These people do far more than protect wildlife.
They are educators, they are community supporters and they help regulate the
sustainable use of natural resources.
We’ve just heard about the remarkable work of two exceptional rangers who
embody the dedication of many conservation heroes worldwide. They have
successfully fostered community engagement, and integrated traditional with
contemporary conservation practices.
Yet, far too often, they lack sufficient support, with rangers in particular
facing inadequate pay and protection.
This has come into even sharper focus over the past two years, following the
murder of Anton Mzimba here in South Africa. Anton was assassinated in his
home for doing his job, protecting the incredible biodiversity of this
country. And globally, 1400 rangers have been killed in the past decade.
We cannot protect our planet without a well-supported workforce.
Currently, fewer than 300,000 rangers are working globally but estimates
suggest we need five times that number to properly meet our conservation
commitments.
That is why I am proud to announce that United for Wildlife, in collaboration
with the Game Rangers Association of Africa and Tusk Trust, is launching a new
life insurance• Страхование product specifically designed for rangers across Africa.
This initiative aims to ensure that rangers receive much needed life insurance• Страхование
cover, giving them and their families reassurance that they are protected for
the dangerous job they do.
It will be led by those who protect nature, for those who protect nature, with
a focus on setting best practices.
A Leadership Council of experienced rangers will guide this initiative,
ensuring that it remains rooted in the needs and experiences of those on the
front lines.
I am delighted that through this initiative, United for Wildlife is joining
forces with other organisations, such as the Universal Ranger Support
Alliance, the International Ranger Federation, to strengthen this crucial
work.
A strong and supported frontline is essential to ending the illegal wildlife
trade• Торговля. But our efforts cannot stop there.
We must adopt a holistic approach, understanding the social, economic, and
environmental factors that drive this trade• Торговля.
We must work closely with local communities, ensuring that they are at the
heart of conservation solutions.
South Africa offers valuable lessons to us all in this regard.
The South African Government’s new visionary biodiversity policy, shaped
through extensive public consultation, embraces a duty of care towards all
aspects of biodiversity, ensuring that both people and nature can thrive.
It rightly acknowledges that conservation cannot succeed without the support
of the people living alongside wildlife.
Many African nations are leading the way in safeguarding our natural world.
The approaches developed here can serve as a model for others facing similar
challenges elsewhere.
What happens over the next five years, especially in relation to stopping the
illegal wildlife trade• Торговля, is crucial for the future of life on Earth.
The urgency is palpable, as entire parts of the species chain are being
removed.
As we look to 2030 and beyond, we have the power and opportunity to change the
trajectory.
While the challenge may still be complex, the path is now clearer.
We must strengthen our networks, support those on the frontlines, and adopt
innovative, community-focused conservation strategies.
Let’s build on our progress, committing to effective policies, deeper
partnerships, and more funding.
In doing so, we can create a future where people and nature flourish.
A future where the illegal wildlife trade• Торговля is a thing of the past, and our
natural world is protected.
Thank you.