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All his life he was the husband of. Prince Philip, husband of the Queen of England Elisabeth II, did not however only accompany his wife in her duties as sovereign. The Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99, was also very involved in a cause: ecology. To the point of founding and becoming the first president of the British branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 1961. In 1991, he confided in his commitments in favor of ecology at the microphone of Jean-Pierre Elkabbach, on Europe 1.
“Climate change is the fault of humans”
At that time already, Prince Philip pointed out the damage caused by human activities on nature. “The most dangerous”, estimated the one who then presided over the WWF, is “the increase in the population”. “We need to eat, place to live, for agriculture. The climate change is due to the increase of the population. Desertification is the fault of humans, it is not a natural phenomenon . “
The prince consort notably supported the need to protect “natural forests, wetlands” and to set up “protected areas”. “In Africa and Brazil”, he pointed out in good French, “80% of species are concentrated in wetlands”. WWF was then working to protect the natural habitats of pandas in China, tigers in India and even tamarind monkeys in Brazil. “It also protects all the species that share the habitat” of these animals, welcomed the Duke of Edinburgh.
Another struggle: to obtain “international conventions on fishing” in international waters where, at the time, “we can use all technologies, fish all fish, and nothing is controlled”. Prince Philip also wanted international agencies helping poor countries to give more importance to “nature conservation projects”. “It’s more difficult for poor countries to do it,” he said, “because priority is always given to health, education or housing”.
Mobilize “everyone”
Above all, the prince consort was already stressing the importance of mobilizing massively on the subject of ecology. “It is progressing, a lot more people have heard about the issues. But not all are equally concerned.” According to him, “we need poets, playwrights and musicians to promote the protection of nature. It is also important to arouse the interest of religions. We should not only engage scientists and animal lovers, but everyone. “
Everyone beyond, too, political cleavages, “the communists as the reactionaries [sic]”If it becomes electoral,” Prince Philip then estimated, “it will become something that divides. And I wish that didn’t divide, that everyone had the same will to protect [l’environnement].”
Did Queen Elisabeth share this ecological commitment? Not really, judging by the slightly amused response from her husband on Europe 1. “She’s not against it. She has enough to do.”
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