Prince Charles: Climate sceptics gamble with the future

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The Prince of Wales has hit out at climate change sceptics for what he calls the "corrosive" impact they have on public opinion.

The prince was speaking to an audience of MEPs and other policymakers at a conference in Brussels.

He warned against the pursuit of growth at the expense of the environment.

And the Prince said environmentalists should sell the benefits of sustainable living rather than just telling people what to give up.

In his speech, Prince Charles set out to illustrate how problems with the environment led directly to economic difficulties.

And he attacked climate change sceptics who he said were denying a vast body of evidence.

The implication of their arguments was that thousands of scientists throughout the world were conspiring to destroy the capitalist-based market system, he said.

"I would ask how these people are going to face their grandchildren and admit to them they failed their future."

Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote I would ask how these people are going to face their grandchildren and admit to them they failed their future” End Quote Prince Charles

He added that they were playing "a reckless game of roulette with the future inheritance of those who come after us."

Rainforests

"I cannot see how we can possibly maintain the growth of GDP in the long term if we continue to consume our planet as voraciously as we are doing," he warned.

He claimed the fabric of "the Earth's life support system" may be beginning to fragment.

Pointing to the destruction of the rainforests he said that stopping the process was "not a lifestyle choice".

Failure to address it meant an end to any chance of stopping climate change.

But the prince also criticised environmentalists for concentrating "on what people need to stop doing".

"If we are constantly told that living environmentally friendly lives means giving up all that makes life worthwhile, then it is no surprise that people refuse to change."