Britain’s new King, Charles III, has long been outspoken about conservation and climate change. So I’d like to use today’s newsletter to provide some background on Charles, the institutions he represents, and his country’s efforts to tackle global warming.
weight of history
The Industrial Revolution was born in England in the 18th century, and so was climate change in some ways. Burning coal, oil, and gas produced large amounts of greenhouse gases that warmed the Earth’s atmosphere.
Britain, as an empire, led that transformation. The key to its domination was its ability to extract natural resources from its network of colonies around the world.
The past matters. Many countries that were once colonized by European powers are today impoverished. They have few resources to deal with the dangers of climate change.Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change I spelled it out in this year’s reportcites colonialism as exacerbating the vulnerability of formerly colonized peoples.
Britain’s most prized possession during the colonial period, British India, became an independent republic of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their people have been devastated by extreme heat, unstable monsoons, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. These are all telltale signs of climate change.
It’s also important to remember that pre-industrial Britain was one of the world’s most prominent slave-trading nations.
what charles said
Charles admitted both accusations. When he visited Rwanda in June, expressed “sorrow” for colonialism. During a visit to Barbados last year, he referred to “the appalling atrocities of slavery” when the country sacked the British monarch as official head of state.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley called him a “man ahead of his time” in an interview with the BBC over the weekend. “What stands out to me is his commitment to the environment, biodiversity and urban renewal,” said Mottley.
She is one of the most vocal advocates for climate action and has repeatedly called on wealthy countries such as the UK and the US to help mend the damage of climate change to countries like her. .
what charles did
As the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles called on the world to fight climate change by opposing air pollution, industrial agriculture and deforestation. “Time has run out, and the eyes and hopes of the world are on you to act all swiftly and decisively,” he said. told world leaders At the International Climate Conference in Glasgow in November.
In 2015, Buckingham Palace confirmed that his investments and his charitable foundation contained no fossil fuel holdings.
he was also summoned.
Climate advocates have noted his use of private jets that use large amounts of dirty aviation fuel. His comments about the “overpopulation” of countries in the global South angered many, given that people in those countries have a small climate footprint to begin with.
His successor, Prince William, is leading a conservation group, invest in a fund The Associated Press reported that the activity was linked to food companies contributing to deforestation.
What Britain is facing
Perhaps, for the rest of the world, the most important climate change action Britain will take now will be decided by Prime Minister Liz Truss’ new government, not by a new king.
Truss said it would increase investment in North Sea oil and gas, overturned fracking bans and named Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the few staunch opponents of climate action in British politics, as the new energy minister. He says the country wants to extract “every last cubic inch of gas from the North Sea.”
It is unclear how this quest will align with the goal set out in UK legislation to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to the 1990 baseline. This is the most ambitious climate target among developed countries.
The British monarch is not involved in politics. So I don’t expect to hear King Charles publicly comment on the day-to-day politics of his country.
Charles’ son William is attending Climate Week in New York, a series of events held alongside the United Nations General Assembly this month.
However, it is worth noting that Crown Estate, which manages a £19bn portfolio, dominates the seafloor around the UK coastline. It’s an increasingly lucrative piece of the royal family’s fortune as oil majors seek leases to build offshore wind projects.
And speaking of lucrative, as my colleagues Jane Bradley and Ewan Ward point out, the wealth Charles inherits is be tax exempt.
Important news from The Times
Pakistan’s next challenge: A food crisis looms over the country after floods crippled the agricultural sector.
New cops in town: The federal agency that oversees the largest US bank just hired its first chief climate risk officer.
Fast fashion fixes: Agreements between fashion houses to adopt more sustainable practices risk violating antitrust laws.
Congestion charge: Plans to keep cars off Manhattan’s roads could ease traffic congestion and boost public transit. But the air in the Bronx can get even dirtier.
Wildfire in the photo: Weather conditions improved in California, giving firefighters time to control large blazes.
Grass Alternatives: Many Americans find turf made from clover to be cheaper to maintain, more resilient, and more environmentally friendly.
Before You Go: A Key Moment for Environmental Justice
Robert Bullard has dedicated his life to environmental justice and demanded equal protection for all. Currently, the White House has pledged $60 billion for this purpose. For Dr. Bullard, it’s a reason to celebrate, but it also requires caution. Too often, he said, federal funds and relief funds don’t reach people of color and people in poor neighborhoods.
Thank you for being a subscriber. I will be back on Friday.
Manuela Andreoni, Claire O’Neill and Douglas Alteen contributed to Climate Forward. View past newsletters here.
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