20/10/2021
Prince William criticised the race for space tourism on Thursday, calling for a focus on the environmental problems on Earth instead.
"We need some of the world's greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live,” he said in an interview with BBC’s Newscast.
"I think that ultimately is what sold it for me - that really is quite crucial to be focusing on this [planet] rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future."
The criticism came the day after Jeff Bezos’s company Blue Origin sent Star Trek actor William Shatner to space alongside two paying customers. The journey only lasted a few minutes and it made 90 year-old Shatner the oldest person to reach the final frontier.
It was the second manned flight of the American billionaire’s rocket. Bezos intends to establish himself as a key player in the coveted space tourism sector, which also includes British billionaire Richard Branson and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
Ahead of COP26, Prince William, second in line to the British throne, also joined his father Prince Charles' climate appeal.
Charles "talked about climate change a lot more, very early on, before anyone else thought it was a topic", according to William.
The Duke of Cambridge added that "it would be an absolute disaster if [Prince] George is sat here talking" about saving the planet in 30 year's time.
“I want the things that I’ve enjoyed – the outdoor life, nature, the environment – I want that to be there for my children, and not just my children but everyone else’s children.
“If we’re not careful we’re robbing from our children’s future through what we do now. And I think that’s not fair.”
📸 AP