Prince William has revealed that his Earthshot Prize initiative helps him manage his environmental anxiety, stating that it 'helps me sleep at night' by offering tangible hope in the fight against climate change. Speaking at a business forum for The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife in London, the Prince of Wales urged CEOs to be 'more ambitious and courageous' in their environmental actions.
Earthshot Prize as a Source of Optimism
The Earthshot Prize, founded by William in 2020, awards five £1 million prizes annually over a decade to scale innovative solutions for the planet's greatest environmental challenges. Discussing its impact, William said: 'For me, it keeps my environmental anxiety at bay because I can actually see some of the things we are doing are bringing change. We can do this. There are actually tangible benefits, and it helps me sleep at night.'
When asked about plans after the Earthshot decade ends in 2030, William admitted there will be 'some sweaty nights' ahead as they decide the next steps. 'We have some debating to do. It is going to keep us on our toes,' he said.
Call to Business Leaders
Speaking at the Frameless immersive art experience near Marble Arch, William addressed global CEOs, urging them to 'be the leader you wanted to be when you were growing up, not the one you are in the business right now.' He emphasized that environmental action makes businesses 'stronger, better, more sustainable' and called for embracing technology and innovation for good.
The forum saw major commitments from tech and e-commerce companies, including Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, Alibaba, Baidu, eBay, Etsy, and Pinterest, who publicly pledged for the first time to end wildlife trafficking on their platforms.
Celebrity Involvement and Storytelling
William was joined by actors Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch for the plenary. Watson recalled how her family's encounter with a red kite, a bird on the brink of extinction, sparked her environmental activism. She referenced the film Finding Dory as an example of powerful storytelling leading to conservation action, noting that the outcry over the blue tang fish's capture led to its protection. William interjected, 'Great film,' before Watson concluded, 'Storytelling is really powerful.'
Cumberbatch spoke about his environmental documentary How to Live on Earth, premiering that night. The trio injected positivity into the often bleak subject of environmentalism.
Prince William's Leadership and Optimism
William's Earthshot Prize has already yielded innovations such as tackling microplastic pollution in washing machines and creating biodegradable packaging from seaweed. He expressed optimism about the future, stating that the initiative provides 'tangible benefits' and a sense that 'we can do this' to reverse climate change horrors.
The event, held during London's heatwave, included greetings from Dr Tom Clements and Sarah Henwood of The Royal Foundation, who wished William a happy birthday. The prince thanked Watson for her role in the 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony.
