King Charles warns of 'perilous uncharted waters' as climate crisis intensifies
King Charles III warns world leaders of dire consequences as climate crisis worsens, urging immediate action to prevent devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods
King Charles III warned world leaders on Friday that the signs of the climate crisis are being overlooked and that the world is on course for "dangerous uncharted territory" with severe consequences for people and their means of living.
Speaking at the opening of the World Climate Action Summit, an event within the COP28 climate discussions in Dubai, the King expressed his hope that "COP28 will mark a crucial turning point towards real transformative action."
"He expressed concern over the significant progress made, but expressed deep worry about how far off track we remain," he stated, emphasizing the shift of the natural world beyond balanced norms and limits into perilous uncharted territory. The King pointed to this year's climate change-driven extreme weather events, such as Canada's unprecedented wildfire season, devastating flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and catastrophic drought in East Africa, as evidence that the world's hope hinges on decisions made at the summit.
"We are conducting a large-scale, alarming experiment by simultaneously altering every ecological condition at a pace that surpasses nature's ability to adapt," he stated.
The King urged for a set of actions, such as increasing public and private finance, to address the climate crisis and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources.
"In 2050, our grandchildren will not be asking about our words. Instead, they will be living with the repercussions of our actions or lack thereof," he stated. "The Earth is not ours to possess, but rather, we belong to the Earth," he emphasized.
Friday marked the King's first major address on climate change since ascending to the throne last year. The King did not attend last year's COP27 summit in Egypt, as then UK Prime Minister Liz Truss advised against it. CNN learned at the time that the monarch and government mutually agreed that the climate summit was not the appropriate occasion for the King's inaugural trip overseas as sovereign.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology for the United Arab Emirates and the President of COP28, is pictured holding a gavel alongside Sameh Shoukry, the Egyptian Foreign Minister and President of COP27, at the opening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on November 30, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
Amr Alfiky/Reuters
Nations pledge millions to new climate damage fund at COP28, US criticized for its small contribution
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has already spoken at the ceremony, where he announced a $30 billion green investment fund aimed at bridging the climate finance gap. The rich world has been requested by developing nations to provide more financing to help the global south make the green transition, and Sheikh Mohammed made this announcement in Dubai, where the UAE is hosting the talks.
After a year of setting record global temperatures and leading to deadly extreme weather, there is immense pressure at COP28 for leaders to make significant strides in addressing the climate crisis. However, there is still division among countries regarding the future role of fossil fuels, the primary contributor to climate change.
The opening of COP28 yesterday marked a significant achievement as countries formally approved a long-awaited damage fund to assist nations most severely impacted by the climate crisis.
The United Arab Emirates and Germany have committed $100 million each, while the UK has pledged £60 million, with part of it allocated for "other arrangements," as stated in the news release. The US has committed $17.5 million, which some experts and advocacy groups have criticized as "embarrassing."
Later, world leaders such as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil's President Lula Da Silva, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley are scheduled to address the delegates.
CNNs Lauren Moorhouse, Angela Dewan and Ella Nilsen contributed reporting
