00:00I'm delighted to introduce our next speaker.
00:03He is a champion of the environment.
00:06He is also the passionate force of nature
00:09behind the Earthshot Prize, which is an initiative
00:11that carries optimism as a core value in the effort
00:15to repair our planet and our ocean.
00:19It's my privilege and honor to welcome
00:21His Royal Highness William, Prince of Wales.
00:30The Vice President of the United States
00:33of the United States of the United States of the United States
00:35of America, the United States of the United States.
00:44Hello.
00:46It's a pleasure to be with you today
00:49to address something important that looks at me.
00:55We come together today, united by our deep connection
00:59the ocean and our concern for its safety. For many of us it is a place where some
01:06of our happiest memories are made, where we've explored the wonders of the
01:11natural world and we have all relied on its great abundance for our food and
01:16livelihoods. And yet all too often it can feel distant and disconnected from our
01:23everyday lives, allowing us to forget just how vital it really is. The truth is
01:31that healthy oceans are essential to all life on earth. They generate half of the
01:36world's oxygen, regulate our climate and provide food for more than 3 billion
01:42people. And today they need our help. Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution
01:50and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the
01:56people and communities who depend most upon them. What once seemed an abundant
02:02resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted and we are all
02:10responsible for change, both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn
02:18this tide. Together we have signed up to an ambitious global commitment to protect
02:2430% of land and sea by 2030. It is our best chance of reversing the damage done to our
02:31planet and restoring its well-being. But the clock is ticking. 2030 is fast
02:38approaching and only 17% of land and just 3% of the ocean has been fully
02:45protected. If we are to reach our goal, we urgently need to take bold action to
02:53protect and restore our planet. We must realize the potential of the blue economy
02:58for our ecosystems, our economies and our communities. With creativity, ingenuity,
03:07investment and support, we can unlock exciting innovations and solutions that
03:12protect our planet, create jobs, sustain livelihoods and encourage prosperity. This
03:20challenge is like none that we have faced before. But I remain an optimist. I believe
03:26that urgency and optimism have the power to bring about the action needed to change
03:31the course of history. I'm an optimist because as the founder of the Earthshot
03:37Prize, I see the incredible examples of the ideas, innovations and technologies that are
03:44harnessing the power of the ocean whilst protecting its vitality. Individuals,
03:50organisations and businesses from every corner of the world are stepping up to play their part.
03:56And I'm delighted that three of them are here with us today. Take Sam and Gaeta, the founders of Coral Vita,
04:03and 2021 winners of the Earthshot Prize. Their team are pioneering high-tech methods to grow coral up to 50
04:11times faster than in nature and improve their resilience to the impact of climate change.
04:18After winning the Earthshot Prize, they financed a major restoration project off the coast of Grand Bahama,
04:26working with local community experts to grow more than 20,000 corals.
04:30They are now focusing on expanding their fast-growing corals across new geographies, driving tourism to
04:38areas with fresh coral reef. Or Douglas, the founder of My Algae and an Earthshot Prize finalist last year.
04:48His work in the last six months to end reliance on wild-caught fish as a primary source of Omega-3 has saved
04:562.4 million wild fish, recycled enough wastewater to fill 300 Olympic swimming pools, and prevented
05:05vast amounts of CO2 emissions. Just one tonne of their algae produces as much Omega-3 as 620,000 fish.
05:16My algae isn't just alternative nutrition, it's climate technology, it's ocean conservation,
05:22and its sustainable food systems at scale. And Enrique of Pristine Seas, a 2021 Earthshot Prize finalist,
05:32and pioneer in marine protected areas. He is a powerful advocate for the clear scientific benefits of MPAs.
05:41When communities protect marine areas, fish stocks recover, ocean health improves,
05:47and there is an increase in profits for the neighbouring communities.
05:52Pristine Seas has already helped establish 29 of the largest MPAs in the world that cover an area
05:59over twice the size of India. Enrique is also part of the team behind Sir David Attenborough's incredible
06:06new film. It makes the most compelling argument for a media action that I have ever seen.
06:12Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking.
06:23For many, it is an urgent wake-up call to just what is going on in our oceans,
06:28but it can no longer be a matter of out of sight, out of mind. The need to act to protect our ocean is now in full view.
06:37As ever, Sir David leaves us with a sense of optimism that all is not lost. He believes change is possible.
06:47Put simply, the ocean is under enormous threat, but it can revive itself. But only if together we act now.
06:56The actions of Earthshot Prize finalists like Enrique, Douglas, Sam and Gaeta are proof that we can collectively
07:07rise to the global challenge of reviving our oceans. The Earthshot Prize is here to demonstrate that
07:14humanity does have the tools needed, but the brilliant minds behind these inspiring solutions
07:20cannot do it alone. They need scaling, they need support and investment to reach their potential.
07:29And they need to be backed by ambitious action on a global, national and local level.
07:36Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions.
07:41Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.
07:48For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough.
07:55If we save the sea, we save our world.
07:57Thank you so much, Your Royal Highness. I know that many people I've spoken to in Cape Town are still
08:24buzzing from the Earthshot Prize that took place there just a few months ago.
