Prince William Advocates for Global Ocean Protection in Monaco

MONACO — On Sunday, October 1, 2023, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, delivered a powerful speech at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to protect the world's oceans. Speaking in both English and French at the prestigious Grimaldi Forum, the Prince highlighted the alarming decline of marine life, stating, "Life on the ocean floor is diminishing before our eyes," and called for ambitious initiatives on various levels—global, national, and local.

The forum, which precedes the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, gathered environmentalists, scientists, and investors to discuss the vital role oceans play in global trade, food security, and sustainable energy. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), healthy oceans are essential for sustaining life on Earth, generating approximately 50% of the world's oxygen and providing food for over three billion people (UNEP, 2023).

Prince William's remarks addressed the significant threats faced by the oceans, including rising temperatures, pollution, and overfishing, which have led to severe ecological damage. "The truth is that healthy oceans are essential to all life on earth. They generate half of the world’s oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than three billion people," he stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of ocean health and human survival.

The Prince, also the founder of the Earthshot Prize, which awards five £1 million prizes annually for innovative solutions to environmental challenges, recognized the difficulties in securing investments for ocean conservation. "All too often, it can feel distant and disconnected from our everyday lives, allowing us to forget just how vital it is," he commented, urging stakeholders to recognize the potential of the blue economy for ecosystems, economies, and communities.

Prominent attendees included the presidents of France, Brazil, and Costa Rica, as well as Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has been a key supporter of numerous ocean protection initiatives. Enric Sala, a marine conservationist from the National Geographic Society and a past finalist for the Earthshot Prize, was also in attendance. He is noted for his pioneering efforts to protect marine ecosystems, contributing to Sir David Attenborough's recent film, "Oceans," which Prince William described as "the most compelling argument for immediate action I have ever seen."

In a poignant moment during his speech, the Prince expressed his heartbreak over the degradation of ocean environments, stating, "Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is heart-breaking. For many, it is an urgent wake-up call to just what is going on in our oceans. But it can no longer be a matter of 'out of sight, out of mind.'" He concluded his address by quoting Sir David Attenborough: "If we save the sea, we save our world," reinforcing the message that proactive measures are essential for future generations.

The speech has been described by Kensington Palace as a "landmark intervention," demonstrating Prince William's commitment to leveraging his platform for environmental change. Following the forum, the Prince is scheduled to engage privately with ocean experts and investors to further discuss opportunities for collaboration on oceanic preservation.

As the world increasingly faces the ramifications of climate change and environmental degradation, Prince William's advocacy for ocean protection serves as a crucial reminder of the interconnectedness of human existence and the health of our planet's oceans. The outcomes of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference could further solidify the global commitment to ocean conservation, making such discussions all the more critical in the months and years ahead.