UK's Prince Harry demands end to 'greed and selfishness', for nature's sake

By Frank Phiri

 

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks during reception at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Lilongwe, Malawi, September 29, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

 

LIWONDE, Malawi (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry appealed on Monday in a national park in Malawi for increased global efforts to protect the environment against "greed, apathy and selfishness".

 

Harry, whose tour of southern Africa has taken him to four countries, observed a simulated anti-poaching operation by Malawian rangers and British soldiers aimed at protecting endangered species such as elephants and rhinos.

 

"Conservation used to be a specialist area, driven by science. But now it is fundamental to our survival and we must overcome greed, apathy and selfishness if we are to make real progress," Harry told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

 

"This may well sound hippy to some, but we cannot afford to have a 'them or us' mentality. Humans and animals and their habitats fundamentally need to co-exist or within the next 10 years our problems across the globe will become even more unmanageable."

 

Britain's Prince Harry paid tribute on Monday to a British soldier who died while taking part in counter-poaching operations in Malawi earlier this year. Rough cut (no reporter narration)

 

Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth, also guest-edited National Geographic magazine's Instagram account on Monday to encourage people worldwide to appreciate the value of trees, Buckingham Palace said.

 

In a campaign entitled 'Looking Up', the Duke of Sussex posted pictures taken by National Geographic's photographers - among them images from the Liwonde National Park that he was visiting - to raise awareness of trees' vital role in the Earth's eco-system.

 

Harry has launched a number of projects under the "Queen's Commonwealth Canopy" initiative, which has, among other things, involved planting of millions of trees in dozens of Commonwealth countries to help combat climate change.

 

In a speech to welcome Liwonde National Park and Mangochi Forest to the initiative, Harry praised cooperation between Malawi's rangers and British soldiers.

 

WILDLIFE CRIMINALS

"From tackling poachers on the ground to sentencing in the courts, this work is successfully rooting out wildlife criminals at every stage, and removing the incentive by prioritising the punishment," he said.

 

Mike Polera, a Malawian park instructor, said he had learned about tracking poachers in dense forest.

 

"The British soldiers are experienced in jungle tracking while we are good at bushcraft, and we are also exchanging skills," Polera said.

 

Harry, sixth in line to the throne, paid tribute at a memorial site for a British soldier, Guardsman Mathew Talbot, who was killed in May by an elephant while taking part in counter-poaching operations.

 

Harry has been travelling to southern Africa for two decades for holidays and conservation work.

 

After visiting South Africa last week with his wife Meghan and their four-month-old son Archie, he left them there and travelled alone to Botswana, Angola and Malawi.

 

Meghan on Monday visited Johannesburg's Victoria Yards, a redeveloped complex of former industrial buildings that now houses markets and artists' studios.

 

A post on the coule's Instagram account showed her hugging three young girls, and said she had been struck by the work of a local denim designer. It also highlighted a number of local organisations that support marginalised youth and women.

 

On Tuesday, Harry will visit a health centre, pharmacy and youth reproductive health programme in Malawi. He will then rejoin Meghan and Archie in South Africa for a township visit on Wednesday near Johannesburg.

 

They will also meet Graca Machel, widow of South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, and President Cyril Ramaphosa before returning to London.

 

(Reporting by Frank Phiri; Writing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Gareth Jones; Additional reporting and writing by Emma Rumney; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-10-01

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His jet-setting on private planes kind of undercuts that message.

Wonder when Harry will be giving back his wealth , palaces  and mansions .

  Liker Bono , Geldorf and the others .

Rich people telling poor people to give their money away

Be nice if he used his influence and wealth to assist those who live in poverty in his own country, lived a little less extravagantly, and encouraged members of his family to do the same.

 

LOL. Another know nothing rich person telling other people what to do. 

Perhaps he could lead by example.

From the movie--its good to be a king.

Oh no!!! Harry has put his foot in it again... I can see that headline upsetting many Tories... Royals should not interfere in politics.

 

What a load of tosh, practice what you preach mate.

Harry and his wife, have quite possibly the highest carbon footprint of any couple on this planet. Yet he is telling the normal people they should not be flying off on their yearly week long holiday in the sun, they shouldn't be driving cars. They should think of the planet first. Hypocrisy at this extreme level makes me sick. 

It's a lot easier and somewhat ironic when you live in catel in the clouds to warn people to beware of the muddy roads in front of them..

Only the wealthy seemingly care about the environment. The majority of the world's population are just battling to put food on the table. The environment ranks low in their priorities.

Prince Harry ' demands ' in the headline.

 

But in reality he only ' appeals '

 

I wish newspapers could refrain from exaggeration but then I guess that's asking a lot.

4 minutes ago, Denim said:

Prince Harry ' demands ' in the headline.

 

But in reality he only ' appeals '

 

I wish newspapers could refrain from exaggeration but then I guess that's asking a lot.

no  good  unless its "ordered" just  ask any Thai

One of the biggest problems (especially Africa ) is the huge increase in population. Population in Malawi where he was speaking, has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

4 minutes ago, cmsally said:

One of the biggest problems (especially Africa ) is the huge increase in population. Population in Malawi where he was speaking, has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

Stop sending them aid, the population will soon go back down.

get a real job Harry and live in a poky little flat with exorbitant rent and see how much you care about the world going downhill. For many in your country they have hit the foot of the hill while you refurbish your 'cottage' for millions that you don't really want.

3 hours ago, pegman said:

His jet-setting on private planes kind of undercuts that message.

now there is something we can totally agree on. 

 

rich keep getting richer while the poor worry about politics and are constantly divided. 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-16/fyi-hillary-clinton-had-a-front-pew-seat-at-donald-trump-s-wedding

38 minutes ago, cmsally said:

One of the biggest problems (especially Africa ) is the huge increase in population. Population in Malawi where he was speaking, has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

Careful cmsally. Population control is the one part of climate change solutions that can never be spoken of. ????

The message is sound. He's a decent chap. If he jets around the world with this message, that's not frivolous, that's fine.

Whether the royals should enjoy the level of privilege they do is a completely different question. Personally I don't subscribe to the politics of envy. They are figureheads and we put them in that position because we want our figureheads to be privileged, but make no mistake, the royals are tools of the people. It's a good system, leave it be.

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

One of the biggest problems (especially Africa ) is the huge increase in population. Population in Malawi where he was speaking, has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

The merit in criticizing Prince Harry is the clear fact he’s a high carbon foot print individual pointing a finger at others.

 

And here we have the finger being pointed at Africans, evidence if it were ever needed, that the Malthusians are only ever pointing the finger at others.

4 minutes ago, JamesBlond said:

The message is sound. He's a decent chap. If he jets around the world with this message, that's not frivolous, that's fine.

Whether the royals should enjoy the level of privilege they do is a completely different question. Personally I don't subscribe to the politics of envy. They are figureheads and we put them in that position because we want our figureheads to be privileged, but make no mistake, the royals are tools of the people. It's a good system, leave it be.

The Queen is a figurehead and her heir is a figurehead. What shouldn't be figureheads are the extra royals out there living a privileged lifestyle and telling everyone else what to do.

 

This is not an attack on the establishment. I'm the last person that wants the crown replaced by yet another tax sucking politician.

7 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

I will ignore your personal attack. Not the first one you have made btw.

 

 Let me clarify why I say Harry and Meg have "quite possibly the highest carbon footprint of any couple on this planet".

 Frequent flying on private jets is just about the worst thing an eco-conscious couple can do. It is hugely wasteful. They live in mansions requiring large amounts of energy to heat and maintain. They have untold numbers of servants catering for their every whim. In the UK they travel by helicopter, or by convoy of large engined gas guzzling vehicles. These activities all cause the release of CO2, which is what the liberals allege is causing global warming or climate change. I think you will be getting the point I am trying to make here....

 Now what I would say, is it is very possible that in the 3rd world somewhere there are people burning vast amounts of trash on a daily basis. Doubtful but possible. This person might cause the release of more carbon dioxide from their activities than Harry, but then this person is not jetting around the world ordering others how to live their lives. I have no problem with anybody jetting around or driving Hummers, yet if they tell normal people that cause one thousandth of their harmful emissions release how to behave, well then yes I do have a problem with their hypocrisy. 

The problem with these arguments against people with influence using their influence to alter the behavior of others is failure to take into account the multiplier effect.

 

By example, the ‘sea change’ (pun intended) in attitudes towards plastics and their impact on the environment.

 

A small number of people and organizations have brought about a massive change in public attitudes and behavior towards plastics. Posting a picture of Richard Attenborough drinking from a plastic straw does not detract from the huge positive influence he has had in the battle against plastic pollution.

 

I might however give you a brief and hollow moment of  feeling smart.

 

The old adage ‘if you don’t want to help do us all a favor and get out of the way’ comes to mind.

...what do they want the 'average man'...a slave to a mortgage or income tax to do.....???

 

...talk about 'lip service' to a cause....

 

...he can start with his family's extensive land holdings....

 

...and get all the upper echelon around the world......to do likewise.....

 

...blah...blah...blah...???

 

 

It's just amusing to hear wealthy people condemning greed and selfishness. Next they will be going on about status and privilege, or being born into it. Sigh, crocodile tear, burp!

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL. Another know nothing rich person telling other people what to do. 

Perhaps he could lead by example.

Harry is one royal (but not the only one) who really does lead by example.

 

Why don't you list the many things that YOU have done in service of others.

 

We can all then make a considered judgement?

 

28 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The Queen is a figurehead and her heir is a figurehead. What shouldn't be figureheads are the extra royals out there living a privileged lifestyle and telling everyone else what to do.

 

This is not an attack on the establishment. I'm the last person that wants the crown replaced by yet another tax sucking politician.

I might agree if they were all <deleted> and wastrels and sat around doing nothing but sip champagne out of top hats - but they work, providing important diplomatic, ceremonial, and charitable functions. 

 

edit: can't even say "*rses" now? How sensitive the world is getting.

1 hour ago, cmsally said:

One of the biggest problems (especially Africa ) is the huge increase in population. Population in Malawi where he was speaking, has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

All started with aid. Before aid a population reached equilibrium with the food available. Then along came aid. Farmers can't plant because aid "crops" too abundant. So nothing grown locally. Well fed locals breed more because thy are well fed. And so on infinitude. Until as you say population doubles.

2 minutes ago, JamesBlond said:

I might agree if they were all <deleted> and wastrels and sat around doing nothing but sip champagne out of top hats - but they work, providing important diplomatic, ceremonial, and charitable functions. 

Agree, and if a finger points at the moon, it's not wise to get mad about whose finger it is.

That said, i'd guess the prince was conscious of a possible backlash.

"practice what you preach" is quite a realistic expectation too.

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL. Another know nothing rich person telling other people what to do. 

Perhaps he could lead by example.

Become a commoner ,unskilled laborer! 

4 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Be nice if he used his influence and wealth to assist those who live in poverty in his own country, lived a little less extravagantly, and encouraged members of his family to do the same.

But ironically whenever he does do that there is never a camera around to capture it ????