Prince William Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Ocean Floors

MONACO — The Prince of Wales warned on Sunday that the ocean floor is “diminishing before our eyes” during his address at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Speaking at the Grimaldi Forum, he emphasized the urgent need for action on global, national, and local levels.

“Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is heartbreaking,” Prince William stated. He added that this situation serves as an “urgent wake-up call” regarding the health of the world’s oceans.

His remarks came just days before the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where discussions will focus on the role of oceans in global trade, food security, and sustainable energy. The forum in Monaco gathered environmentalists, scientists, and investors all eager to finance ocean protection initiatives.

The Prince, who spoke in both French and English, highlighted the critical importance of healthy oceans in sustaining life on Earth. He noted that oceans generate half of the world’s oxygen and provide food for over three billion people.

In addressing the challenges posed by rising temperatures, pollution, and overfishing, he underscored the complexities of investing in ocean protection. “All too often, it can feel distant and disconnected from our everyday lives,” he said. “We must realise the potential of the blue economy for our ecosystems, our economies, and our communities.”

Prince William, the founder of the Earthshot Prize, described the prize as a means to promote the best solutions to climate challenges. Several past winners and finalists attended the forum, including Enric Sala of the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas project, who advocates for marine life protection.

He concluded his speech by quoting Sir David Attenborough: “If we save the sea, we save our world.” By leveraging his platform, Prince William aims to create meaningful change and secure investments for ocean solutions.