The whole of the 20th century has always put the car at the center. So by putting the pedestrian first, you create these livable places, I think, with more attraction and interest and character.
Prince CharlesRead
We need to be realistic. There is very little we can do now to stop the ice from disappearing from the North Pole in the summer. And we probably cannot prevent the melting of the permafrost and the resulting release of methane. In addition, I fear that we may be too late to help the oceans maintain their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We must face the reality of climate change and its impacts on the environment.
This quote reflects the urgency and inevitability of climate change effects, highlighting that despite our efforts, certain environmental consequences, such as the melting of the North Pole and permafrost, are already too advanced to reverse. It emphasizes the idea that our current actions may not be enough to mitigate severe environmental degradation, and it calls for a realistic understanding of the situation we face.
Themes
Climate ChangeEnvironmentMelting IceRealismPermafrostOcean Health
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about climate change at a conference.
More from Prince Charles
All quotes →Climate change should be seen as the greatest challenge to face man and treated as a much bigger priority in the United Kingdom.
Prince CharlesRead
If you think about the impact of climate change, [it should be how] a doctor would deal with the problem. A scientific hypothesis is tested to absolute destruction, but medicine can't wait. If a doctor sees a child with a fever, he can't wait for [endless] tests. He has to act on what is there. The risk of delay is so enormous that we can't wait until we are absolutely sure the patient is dying.
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We might be more inclined to think about the longer term if we were more aware of what is happening around us. Perhaps daily weather forecasts could include a few basic facts about the Earth's vital signs or details of where climate change is increasing the likelihood of damaging weather?
Prince CharlesRead
The sustainability revolution will, hopefully, be the third major social and economic turning point in human history, following the Neolithic Revolution - moving from hunter-gathering to farming - and the Industrial Revolution
Prince CharlesRead
Any difficulties which the world faces today will be as nothing compared to the full effects which global warming will have on the world-wide economy.
Prince CharlesRead
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