The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has been committed to protecting the environment and climate over the years. He advocates constructive forms of protest.
Ballator – Prince Charles has shown understanding to climate protesters – but criticized extreme forms of protest. “I completely understand the frustration,” the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II told the BBC in an interview published on Monday.
It is important to understand “how desperate” especially many young people are protesting. “But I don’t think to do it in a way that alienates people,” said the British heir to the throne. Road barriers are “not helpful”. “The difficulty is in directing that frustration in a way that is constructive rather than destructive,” Charles said.
Recently, climate activists repeatedly blocked the M25 London motorway and important roads and bridges in the British capital. Some protesters got stuck on the road. There were long traffic jams and arguments with road users. The government obtained the injunction and sharply criticized protesters from Insulate Britain groups, who are calling for complete thermal insulation of homes and an Extinction Rebellion.
Less than three weeks before the start of the UN climate conference COP26, Charles urged heads of state and government not to speak at their meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. “The problem is to act on the ground,” said the committed climate activist. Charles wants to attend the convention with his wife, Duchess Camilla. The Queen, her eldest son Prince William and his wife Duchess Kate have also announced their visit.
Charles said he himself has tried to reduce his environmental footprint. “I don’t eat meat or fish two days a week and I don’t eat dairy products one day a week,” he said. “If more people did this, it would take a lot of pressure (from the environment).”
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211011-99-555665/2