Prince Charles calls for action to clean up oceans

The heir to the throne is making his 20th official visit to the United States. He attended a conference concerning the rule of law in the 21st century entitled ‘The Magna Cart of the Future’, at the National Archives in Washington D.C. In a speech he described ocean waste as, “one issue that we absolutely cannot ignore”.

He is reported to have told government officials and corporate executives, who were joined by leaders of NGOs, that he was “horrified” that around 8 million tons of plastic was allowed to enter the world’s seas every year. Agence France-Presse reported him saying, “One issue that we absolutely cannot ignore is that of the increasing quantity of plastic waste in the marine environment.”

In July last year, two leading marine scientists called for action on plastics being dumped into the marine environment. The volume is now believed to have reached 5 trillion pieces.

Today, Thursday, Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, will meet President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to discuss world affairs, including climate change and youth opportunities, two subjects the Prince has championed during his time as heir apparent.

In February he likened the planet to a sick patient saying, “A healthy planet means healthier people.” In January, he told the international community that the climate agreement to be agreed upon in Paris this year should be seen as, “a new Magna Carta for the Earth, and humanity’s relationship with it”. 

Photo: John Williams via Flickr

Further reading:

Prince Charles: a healthier planet means healthier people 

Prince Charles: climate action ‘the only rational choice’

Prince Charles: climate agreement should be ‘new Magna Carta for the Earth’

Prince Charles: we must act on climate change, ‘before it is too late’

Prince Charles attacks ‘headless chicken’ climate change deniers