Does this news prove Prince William is against space tourism?

In news of his latest environmental efforts, Prince William also shared his opinion on space tourism and the current space race. The Duke of Cambridge responded that great minds should be “trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live.” 

While promoting the Earthshot Prize, a reward to those making efforts to protect Earth, the prince also discussed how such endeavors should be the world’s priority. He also warned about a rise in “climate anxiety” among younger generations due to the worsening global climate.

Earthshot campaign for environmental efforts

Prince William appeared in an interview with BBC’s Newscast prior to the first Earthshot Prize announcement. According to the official website, “The Earthshot Prize is the most ambitious and prestigious of its kind – designed to incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next ten years.”

Five, £1 million prizes will be awarded every year for the next decade, providing at least fifty solutions to the world’s greatest environmental problems by 2030. The prize’s name is a reference to the 1960s “moonshot” ambition, which saw U.S. President John F. Kennedy pledge to get a man on the moon within a decade.

Prince William declared, “The Earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet, or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.”

Protecting Earth is a priority, not space tourism

Jeff Bezos & Elon Musk have both been making breaking news for their efforts towards space exploration. Recently, Bezo’s Blue Origin launched Star Trek actor William Shatner into space, making him the oldest person to make the journey.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk has been vocal about his desire to take his SpaceX rockets to Mars. Musk has even committed to playing a key role in establishing a human colony on the said planet.

Speaking about the current space race and the promotion of space tourism, Prince William said, “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.”

“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.”

Prince William told Newscast’s Adam Fleming he had “absolutely no interest” in traveling to space, adding there was a “fundamental question” over the carbon cost of these space flights.

Protecting younger generations

In the Newscast interview, Prince William also warned there was “a rise in climate anxiety” among young individuals whose “futures are basically threatened the whole time”. He added, “It’s very unnerving and it’s very, you know, anxiety making.”

The Duke of Cambridge and father of three also asked us to channel our childhood and “remember how much it meant to be outdoors and what we’re robbing those future generations of.”

Prince William also said his father, Prince Charles, had a “rough ride” when warning about climate change, adding, “It’s been a hard road for him.” He said Charles “talked about climate change a lot more, very early on, before anyone else thought it was a topic”.

The Duke of Cambridge added that “it would be an absolute disaster if [Prince] George is sat here talking” about saving the planet in thirty years’ time.

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Do you agree with Prince William’s statements? Should Jeff Bezos & Elon Musk be prioritizing environmental change over space tourism? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.