Prince William has lashed out at billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk for being fixated with space when they could be concentrating their efforts to fix problems on Earth.
In comments given to BBC Newscast, where William was interviewed about climate change ahead of the first-ever Earthshot Prize Award, the Duke of Cambridge said: “We need some of the world’s greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live.”
The interview, due to be aired later today, comes just hours after 90-year-old Star Trek actor William Shatner became the oldest person to travel into space onboard Blue Origin’s second-ever crewed flight which ventured 351,186 feet above Earth’s surface for three minutes.
An emotional Shatner said after touching back down on Earth: “Everybody in the world needs to do this. I’m so filled with emotion with what just happened. I hope I never recover from this.
“It’s so much larger than me and life, and it hasn’t got anything to do with the little green hand or the little blue orb.”
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However, 39-year-old William has rallied against “clever words but not enough action,” ahead of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow this month, which will see several world leaders gather to discuss how we can tackle the climate crisis.
“I think for COP to communicate very clearly and very honestly what the problems are and what the solutions are going to be, is critical,” he said. “We can’t have more clever speak, clever words but not enough action.”
He added that more and more young people are getting “climate anxiety” and that it would be an “absolute disaster” if his son George was still discussing the same issue in 30 years time.
“We are seeing a rise in climate anxiety. You know, people, young people now are growing up where their futures are basically threatened the whole time. It’s very unnerving and it’s very, you know, anxiety making.”
William has been largely praised for his comments about the billionaire space race, with many people agreeing with his message.
Prince William has suggested entrepreneurs should focus on saving Earth rather than engaging in space tourism.
— Dean McLaughlin (@Dean_Journalist) October 14, 2021
Have to say I think I agree ... https://t.co/7LdEFoStpL
#PrinceWilliam is taking a leaf out of #PrincePhilip book. He once said space travel was a massive waste of money and resources. https://t.co/G9oasb62eJ
— phil dampier (@phildampier) October 14, 2021
He's got a point: Prince William says that saving Earth should come before space tourismhttps://t.co/s5NmTcf3kN
— Dr Niki Rust 🌱 (@NikiRust) October 14, 2021
Prince William: Saving Earth should come before space tourism> so agree with him. Seems perverse to want minutes of joy in space for self gratification when the earth is being destroyed. https://t.co/Zmc92xFYrp
— Clare Gerada (@ClareGerada) October 14, 2021
First time I can remember that I agree with something a member of the Royal family has said. https://t.co/YN6u7LXOdA
— Adam Roberts (@ARobertsjourno) October 14, 2021
Whether the royal’s comments sway the minds of the billionaires remains to be seen but, for the time being, it would appear that they are still pressing ahead with their plans for space tourism.
Just last week, Musk said that he hoped we would see Tesla’s first off-planet factory within his lifetime. Speaking during a Tesla shareholder meeting in Austin, Texas, the South African said: “So, we are many years before Tesla’s first off-planet factory.
“I mean, I would like to see one before I am dead. That would be cool. ‘So, I don’t know what we got like 40 years-ish. Hopefully, before I am dead, basically. That would be great.’”
Earlier this year, Richard Branson also joined the space race when his Virgin Galactic Passenger Plane blasted to the edge of space. Just a few days later Bezos travelled into space himself, onboard Blue Origin’s first-ever manned flight onboard the company’s New Shepard rocket.
