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Tuesday, 14 November, 2000, 15:09 GMT
Is humanity to blame?
Prince Charles, a keen environmentalist, says recent disasters such as flooding, BSE and global warming are caused by human arrogance.Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.
"Some recent occurrences in our country are, I have no doubt, the consequences of mankind's arrogant disregard of the delicate balance of nature", the Prince claims.
Is it right to blame human arrogance for recent disasters? Is this alarmist talk? Or is Prince Charles right to suggest we may be 'agents of our own destruction'?
All this from the man who "drives his own Aston Martin" - hmmm...
Think I'll go home, leave the fridge door open and start another ice age - that will stop global warming!!
It takes human arrogance to not realise that we can neither eat, drink nor breathe money.
Yes, humanity is to blame.
But who made Prince Charles
John B, UK
I like Prince Charles. It takes a sensitive personality, not a degree, to see what is causing the problems in the world. However, if everyone had the same amount of possessions and large cars he does, the world would be totally devastated. So if he wants to become a real leader, he needs to give up all these, live in a small energy efficient house and travel on the bus.
I wholeheartedly agree with Prince Charles. In fact if something is not done soon, the human race will be on that list of endangered species.
Robert Cragie, UK
Although I am no fan of blood sports enthusiast Prince Charles - a man who talks to foxgloves and watches happily as a fox is torn to pieces by hounds - I must protest at those who belittle him for his 'non-scientific' credentials and quote 'experts' who are in the main on the payrolls of the very organisations who are doing the most to pollute our world. Time and again the Government listens to these people and ignores the independent voices who are all too often proved right in the end.
Prince Charles is right on target. The efforts of business interests to wait until we are completely sure that the range of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere are having a discernible effect on climate and weather, is the same as saying we should all put our lives at risk for industry. What are we supposed to do, sit calmly and wait until disaster and crop failures become widespread? To err on the side of caution is no error. To conduct business as usual in the face of global warming and the fury of a changing climate is arrogant, careless, criminal folly.
Lee, Winchester, England
Well, Charles seems to be suffering from that all-too-common arrogance that pervades humanity. Were we driving cars during the great Ice Ages, or the many other 'temperature events' throughout Earth's history? The recent weather patterns coincide with a huge release of energy from the sun in the form of solar flares. That does not make a sufficient excuse for a doom-monger like Charles to find a platform.
Reading some of the remarks on here - I am frankly astonished at humanity's ability to play ostrich and pretend everything is fine. The vast majority of leading scientists, conclude that humankind is damaging the environment and global warming and climate change are the consequences. How long are we going to wait before we accept this and work on changing our behaviour? Until London is under water? Attacking Prince Charles for his comments is childish and short-sighted - he's expressing concerns that many people feel and ridiculing him is just diverting attention from where it needs to be, solving our environmental problem.
The comments here are interesting, most people agree with the Prince's common sense, however the scientific Mafia poo-poo his words and say he doesn't know what he is talking about. This is what they always say, they know what is best for us, but when it all goes wrong then its not their fault!
Capt. Mike Hogan, UK
The human race has a lot of things to answer for - wars, over-population and greed - but there are plenty of naturally occurring disasters that we cannot be blamed for such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, spring tides and freak weather. Nature has always had its own way of adjusting itself. The human race can help itself by voluntarily restricting the size of their families, gather only deadwood and not build in valley bottoms.
Whether the current rate of climate change is down to Man or whether its cyclical is irrelevant. What cannot be disputed is that Man and nothing else has been responsible for widespread pollution, destruction of the forests and the extinction of many thousands of species. It is not only the capitalist system that is to blame. Under communism, in Eastern Europe and China, environmental and wildlife destruction has been very bit as bad. Until people stop aspiring to owning fast cars, big houses etc the future looks grim.
Firstly, Miles, UK says that this is our planet and we have a right to change our environment to suit ourselves. Wrong! That is precisely the arrogant attitude Charlie-Boy is talking about. The planet does not belong to us - we belong to the planet, and no matter how tough or intelligent you may think you are, when nature hits back, you are at it's complete mercy. Ergo if we don't learn to live by IT'S rules, then we will lose. We are not killing the Earth, nor will it die - it is even arrogant to think we have that much power - nature will simply remove the thorn in it's side and move on.
I totally agree with Prince Charles in that we are "arrogant" and we are agents of our own destruction. World over-population will/is our downfall.
Is this the same prince that arrogantly enjoys shooting nature? or doesn't he think that the foxes make up part of natures ecological balance. He really should clean up his own act before he decides to open his mouth! It wasn't so long ago that the Royal Family were quite happy to go shooting Tigers in India either! Charles and his family have contributed to more destruction of nature than any of us commoners!
The prince has a right to an opinion just as the rest of us here making comments. He knows what is at stake when he voices his publicly. We should at least respect him for that. All of us tacitly support capitalism by our chosen mode of living, why should we be so outraged then when it's product, the long-term injury to our health, or the environment is the result? Until we learn a moral way of living, we will have to live with the consequences. It is unwise to put too much faith in science. Science at the moment is in the service of capitalism - it is not to be trusted until it can act responsibly of its own accord.
Nick Hing, UK
Every contributor to this discussion who has blamed Western society for causing a lot of rain should turn off the computer, the CD player, the refrigerator, and the lights as well.
Before you make smug comments, just remember that "you" are part of Western society and even the most ardent Green is personally benefiting daily from the "excesses" thereof.
Humanity is to blame - for not being audacious enough. When I hear talk of going back to nature and of the evils of progress, I think of another bunch of entirely natural, organic, non-polluting, non-capitalist creatures that ruled the world once: the DINOSAURS. As some guy said, they died, because they didn't have a space program. We're human, we have rational minds; if the greenhouse effect or whatever is a problem, then GET OFF YOUR REAR END AND GO FIX IT and quit with the whining.
Sue C, Australia
Environmentalism is the new religion. The arrogance lies in
thinking, as a race we are so important that our activity affects
the weather or that we can even be certain of that. The fact is,
scientists are undecided on the causes of global warming, for every one
who thinks we are to blame there is one who thinks we are experiencing
a normal weather pattern. It is not that long since plans were afoot to
pipe water from the North England to the South. There were serious floods in 1904 - was that due to coal fires? Back then, we would have been more likely to be told that it was 'an act of God and punishment for our amorality.
When every fish has been caught, all the air is polluted and every tree felled, then humanity will understand you cannot eat money.
With no commercial agenda or scientific/academic reputation to promote, Prince Charles has once again done what he does best: echo the layman's inescapable conclusions about the world we share. And got an audience - witness all these knockers and smart-Alecs who don't know a well-read mind when they see one. Boffins go hang: confine judgements of "not proven!" to Scottish courthouses!
Natural balance? There is no equilibrium in nature, only constant change. It is debatable as to whether there is global warming and whether it is caused by human means. What is clear is that human activities have adverse effects on some local environments. Whether or not vehicle emissions contribute to global warming, they certainly contribute to local pollution. Building on flood plains does not increase rainfall, but it does mean that you are more likely to be flooded.
This planet is more than capable of saving itself. If mankind were to choke itself and other species to death through pollution, deforestation, nuclear war etc. within a million years, give or take; a mere blink of an eye in evolutionary terms, Earth would be full of life again. Mankind is not bigger than the planet yet!
Will Gray, UK
Prince Charles is right, virtually all mankind's problems are self-inflicted; global warming, high crime figures, famine, queues on the M25, are all due to man's disregard for the planet by over-populating it. Malthus highlighted the problem over 100 years ago. The big problem now is how to eradicate 100,000,000 million people to bring the population back in line and save the planet.
I fully agree with Charlie. Although not always in tune with the people, I think he has a point. Having grown up in Britain I have noticed a general climatic change since the 60's. You cannot assume that a hole in the ozone layer larger than the size of several Americas has no effect on our climatic conditions. It's time the industrialised nations such as Britain own up to their arrogance and try to remedy the situation. If not, the ones that will suffer the most will be those third world countries that can least afford to be subjected to floods and droughts.
It warms me to know that we might eventually have a monarch on the throne willing to make such a bold statement. The Government seems unwilling to protect the environment and enforce proper controls for scientific and technological development. We would be wise to listen to what our future King has to say.
Merx, London, UK
Yes, which is why who becomes president of the USA, the world's biggest energy user, is a matter of concern for all of us, globally. Unfortunately, we don't get to vote, though we're profoundly affected.
I think the global warming myth has been put about by those with an interest in research grants looking for a "safe" project and a politically-correct bandwagon to jump on. When investigating this subject a proper approach would be to assess all factors involved such as the solar cycle, which must have a major effect, before rushing to assumptions that humans are guilty and have to appease the gods by getting rid of cars, etc. The real motivator for change has to be leadership with achievable and measurable objectives.
Peter Manchester, UK
Ron from Wales says that "science, not spiritual ramblings ¿. holds the answer". This is a very good example of the sort of arrogance Prince Charles is talking about. Because we seem to be progressively cutting ourselves off from nature we disregard the consequences of our actions, we don't bother to think about them or prefer not to. A spiritual approach reflected in consuming less, individually becoming rather disinterested in material possessions and wealth, having respect for other people and the environment in general would go a long way towards protecting our future. This has nothing to do with being anti-science, or luddite.
We humans are indeed to blame for the recent turn of events mentioned. I find it absurd that in the wake of the recent floods, a group of people are planning more protests against high taxes on a substance that is one of the biggest contributors to the speeding up of the Earth's natural warming. Do these people have children? Do they want their children to have a future?
Harry Knapp, Germany
I'm sorry but Prince Charles is showing the same level of arrogance as the rest of society. After reading a few articles on the subject, he has proclaimed himself an "expert". It is almost laughable if it wasn't so tragic and dangerous. I do not know what is causing the changes in the environment but I can't help but look towards the Sun where 99.99999% of all energy arrives. It is know that the Sun is in a state of flux at the moment and in a turbulent part of its cycle so how can this be ignored?
As usual it is money, pure greed and politicians that are the primary causes. I just wonder what the final outcome will be.
Noreen McAllen, England
I congratulate all those environmentally aware people for accepting that we are ruining the very space that supports our lives.
Now how about digging deep and accepting that we all need to share the financial burden. Let's start, say, with higher fuel taxes and a Government that has some environmental backbone.
Indicators from science point ever more unequivocally to the detrimental influence of mankind in what's going badly (for mankind!!) in the environment.
The nub of the problem lies therefore not with whether or not it's (partly or wholly) our fault but which part of mankind is most responsible.
This is the most sensitive area because the "system" as it stands that most of us rely on for our creature comforts is turning out to be inherently detrimental.
I am surprised by the hostile reaction to the Prince's speech by some quarters within the scientific community. It would seem that those responsible for polluting the food chain with prion proteins and carnivorous cattle would be the last to have any authority on issues concerning the ecosystem. A degree of humility would seem more appropriate. Those who speak out seem to be using the same denials that made tobacco companies infamous a decade ago ("there's no proof"). Many scientists are unable to see beyond their own particular experiments and ambitions.
We are fools if we blindly follow this self-elected post-modern priesthood
I wholeheartedly agree with Prince Charles. For those living in the South East of England the last time we had a spell of about a week of hot/ warm DRY weather was when there were virtually no cars on the road and the petrol crisis was at its peak! Enough said. Of course there will be those who live abroad who have had no rain for months. This is our fault. God sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. We are to blame.
Vince Jones, UK
If I had Prince Charles's bank balance I also would have a gas guzzling helicopter, Range Rover and Aston Martin.
I would then humbly live with my own arrogance rather than draw attention to it.
As far as the severity of our weather at present is concerned, I believe it cannot be attributed to global warming. Our weather has always been changeable. However, as far as the Prince of Wales' comments upon human arrogance are concerned I would say I have to agree with him, but in the context of homes and businesses being built continuously on natural flood plains.
Building homes here is as foolish as building on sand.
I heard or saw a report somewhere that this round of flooding is the worst for 400 years. What was the excuse for the flooding 400 years ago?
John Atkins, Finland
Yet another reason to abolish the Monarchy....
It is very interesting to read the comments and opinions people have on this issue. Most clearly, there seems to be a lot of dogma on both sides. What should really be done is a careful and spirited debate on where we are going as a race and what concerted efforts can be made by all to achieve a balanced world, environmentally, politically and economically. Having said that, the Prince is right!
The Earth is slowly changing as a result of man's disregard for it's natural balance. The cutting of forests, the thinning of the ozone layer, the melting of the ice caps at the North Pole are all results of materialism, greed and having no respect for one's habitat.
I agree with Prince Charles, and believe the core issue we should be focusing on is humanity's pathological obsession with economic growth. If we do not immediately begin developing a steady-state economics and rediscover our role as stewards of a small, beautiful planet, future generations will inherit a devastated world.
Andy Brown, UK
Almost all informed scientists believe
that we are experiencing human-
caused global warming. Eight of the
ten warmest years in the last 1000
were in the 1990's. The 1990's were also
probably the warmest decade in the
last 50,000 years (we know from ice
cores). It's not that the floods were
necessarily caused by global
warming, but the pattern of extreme
weather events in recent years is
suggestive. The people rubbishing
global warming here don't seem to
know much about it.
Robert Simmons, England
Charles has made a habit of mouthing off. He is abusing his position within this nation by using his title to give some air of authority to opinions that are basically a mish-mash of pseudoscience, hearsay and panic mongering.
The Prince of Wales says BSE and the floods are due to "mankind's arrogant
disregard of the delicate balance of nature", but what about the "delicate
balance" of capitalism, which by "nature", keeps the poor poor, by forever
enriching the rich through privileged possession of productive assets - like,
for example, the Duchy of Cornwall?
These floods are without a doubt, heartbreaking and very sad to see happening. I do think that we are messing this planet up with our consumption of fossil fuels and such. Coming from America and raised here, knowing that we are one of the earth's main polluters. I feel that we all have to do our part together to stop these outrageous storms. But, then again, Floods, Tornadoes, and other natural disasters have been around since time began. Are we really the ones who are doing it? Or is it just Mother Nature at work? Any way you observe it, it is a tragedy that cannot be stopped.
Humanity is indeed to blame. What are we doing to fix it? I am afraid after so many years of altering the environment and ecological system we pay the price.
When will Prince Charles realise that he is not qualified to make such statements. No-one can say with any certainty what the direct cause of the floods were as the atmosphere is such a complex system. Crazy as it sounds, it may even be due to a butterfly in Brazil flapping its wings. There is a debate to be had and much more to be investigated. Charles contribution, although well meaning is actually unhelpful.
Andrew Waite, UK
Prince Charles is correct and his views reflect those of an ever growing proportion of people. Lets hope our representatives realise this sooner rather than later.
The prince is ABSOLUTELY right to blame Humans for the state of planet Earth. Mankind has developed at a faster rate this century than any other and the environment is suffering as a cause. As this has only really come about in the last century, we do have time to make this right otherwise the 20th Century will always be remembered for how humans butchered the Earth.
Of course we are to blame - we have been told time and time again what the consequences are - all we have done is bury our heads in the sand. Mother Nature must be thinking to herself " I told you so"
Is the Prince of Wales soon to publish a volume entitled "A Vision of the Earth"? He has made it his hobby to point out problems while all too rarely offering solutions.
It would be wrong to attribute human arrogance for all environmental disasters. However, Prince Charles' views ought to be wholeheartedly endorsed in the sense that man, in his greed for development and the tonnes of money which flow from it, should not upset the ecological balance. If he doesn't respect Mother Nature, it will naturally lead to environmental catastrophes.
Charles should restrict himself to talking to his flowers - in private. If he wishes to make public comment on issues such as global warming, BSE etc. he should at least demonstrate some grasp of the science and not simply bombard us with a load of half-baked opinions.
Are humans to blame for the current state of the climate? Who knows? The earth has been around a few billion years and weather records don't go back that far. What is certain is that the way we treat the earth certainly does nothing to help.
Paul R, UK
Prince Charles is simply demonstrating his own scientific illiteracy, and by the way, his own arrogance in making such assertions about the causes of the weather and other problems
Are we really to blame for global warming - I don't think we yet have all the facts, our human contribution pale in significance to natural factors such as volcanic eruptions. But with the BSE disaster, its not human arrogance, but human greed and profiteering and ignorance that was too blame for the unnatural feeding of animal protein to herbivores which caused the leap between species of the disease.
Andrew Torrance, Wales, UK
We can't say for sure how much of the blame for these floods is ours, and how much is just freakish bad luck. But what we can say is that we're trashing the environment anyway, and we have to stop. This is all that really matters in the long run. Prince Charles is right.
As far as the recent floods are concerned we certainly have to shoulder some of the blame. Even if the Greenhouse Effect is unproven it is a solid fact that man's land use contributes to flooding. Naturally water seeps through the ground as well as down rivers, but water doesn't seep through concrete or flood defences and the water that does seep into our fields is channelled back into the rivers.
Timothy Hale, England
I agree entirely. This is without a doubt divine retribution, and it is only the start. All these things have been foretold in Holy Scripture and are there for all with a pure heart to understand and heed.
Chris Cowdery, UK
'We' are not the agents of our own destruction - the problem is a lack of accountability. In pursuit of ever-greater profits, ever-greater liberties are being taken with the safety of individuals. SOMEONE made money out of feeding cows the carcasses of dead cows instead of proper feed. While irresponsible greed is not punished it will thrive to the detriment of us all.
Prince Charles is right, I wholeheartedly agree with him.
Yet more utterly irrational drivel from a sad man who is completely
out of touch with reality. That anyone pays any attention to his
occasional outbursts of mumbo-jumbo is a sign of just how
much further we have to go in driving out superstition and meaningless
religiosity from the world. We've always had floods, disease
and storms and we always will; science, not
spiritual ramblings and prophecies of doom, holds the answer.
I agree with the Prince and I also think that modernisation will be cause of our destruction.
Prince Charles is not a "keen environmentalist". He is a person who likes to pronounce on matters of which he has little understanding. The environment just happens to be one of them.
Far from there being a "delicate balance of nature", our world is a complex and extremely robust web of feedbacks and interactions. The failure of Prince Charles to grasp this fundamental truth demonstrates most clearly the paucity of his simplistic views.
Grahame Naylor, UK
He is correct to blame humans as they are in the process of destroying planet Earth in a drive to gain a high standard of living. The greatest people are the ones who consume the least and educate their minds spiritually. I do however, find it strange that a man who consumes much resources in the way of material goods should make such a statement.
Humans can be likened to a nasty virus - Mother Earth has had enough and is fighting back to rid herself of the human scourge.
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