|
The 71-year-old prince, who himself has
recovered after suffering mild symptoms of COVID-19, has
championed environmental causes for decades, warning that global
warming and climate change were the greatest threats to
humanity.
He said that rebuilding the world from the devastating impact of
the "dreadful" coronavirus pandemic presented an opportunity for
those environmental causes.
"We have a unique but rapidly shrinking window of opportunity to
learn lessons and reset ourselves on a more sustainable path,"
Charles told the WEF meeting on Wednesday.
He said that the pandemic, which due to lockdowns and
restrictions has meant less industrial activity and travel, had
showed people that dramatic change was possible.
"We have a golden opportunity to seize something good from this
crisis. Its unprecedented shockwaves may well make people more
receptive to big visions of change," he added.
His speech was part of a launch event for "The Great Reset", a
project involving the WEF and the Prince of Wales's Sustainable
Markets Initiative, aimed at rebuilding the economic and social
system to be more sustainable.
Unlike the disease, there are solutions to climate change,
Charles said, mentioning renewable energy and through putting
nature back at the centre of how people live their lives.
Using social media and a virtual hubs network, the WEF's Great
Reset is aiming to involve young people across the world to help
develop practical solutions and mobilise them to work towards a
more sustainable way of life.
"I can only encourage us all to think big and act now," said
Charles.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Stephen Addison)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
