Prince Harry is currently touring Africa on a 10-day visit alongside his wife Meghan Markle and their 4-month-old son Archie . The Duke of Sussex is currently in Botswana helping to plant trees after decades of deforestation due to humans cutting down trees for firewood. In addition, elephant activity has left large barren areas, reported The Guardian .
During the forest habitat rebuilding efforts, Harry gave a speech on the banks of the Chobe River. The British royal spoke about climate change and referred to a speech recently given by U.N. secretary general, António Guterres, during the U.N. general assembly.
“This week, led by Greta, the world’s children are striking. There’s an emergency. It’s a race against time and one [for] which we are losing. Everyone knows it. There’s no excuse for not knowing that. And the most troubling part of that is I don’t believe there is anybody in this world who can deny science — undeniable science and facts.”
The prince continued on to say that science and facts that have been around for the last 30, maybe 40 years, and that the evidence is only getting stronger and stronger.
“I don’t understand how anyone in this world, whoever we are – you, us, children, leaders, whoever it is – no one can deny science, otherwise we live in a very, very troubling world.”
During his efforts to rebuild the forest habitat, Harry was seen working alongside a group of men to be able to insert a 32-foot baobab tree into the ground. He also assisted young children who were planting mahogany saplings. The Duke of Sussex was joined by Dr. Mike Chase, a conservationist and founder of Elephants Without Borders, a charitable organization with the goal of conserving wildlife and natural resources. Chase will help manage the new forest habitat to make sure the area thrives.
While in Botswana, Harry spoke about how meaningful it was to be able to visit and help make a difference, especially since the nation was a place he was able to escape to following the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The prince noted that he had been visiting Botswana for fifteen years in which he has been able to not only experience a sense of escapism but to also experience a real sense of purpose. He added that he has made some of his closest friends in Botswana over the years.
“I came here in 1997 or 1998 straight after my mum died, so it was a nice place to get away from it all. I feel deeply connected to this place and to Africa.”
