Prince of Wales attacks climate change doubters

The Prince of Wales delivered a fierce attack Monday on those who doubt climate change and said it must be tackled before world poverty.

By Andrew Alderson in Santiago Last Updated: 11:38PM GMT 09 Mar 2009

Prince Charles: 'If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented'
Prince Charles, who is starting a 10-day tour of South America, spoke at a dinner in Santiago, Chile, hosted by Michelle Bachelet, the President.
"How can we begin to address poverty if we haven't first ensured our planet is habitable?" he said.
"If we do nothing, the consequences for every person on this earth will be severe and unprecedented - with vast numbers of environmental refugees, social instability and decimated economies: far worse than anything which we are seeing today."
The Prince said Chile was witnessing the terrifying effects of global warming, including the shrinking of nearly 90 per cent of your glaciers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in the light of such evidence, and so much more from across the globe, I find it incomprehensible that there are those who doubt the science of climate change."
He said he believed in action not words. "We must think and act across boundaries of nation, sector, language and culture, and to do so now and with resolve."
The Prince, who the British Government reportedly wants to do more on the foreign stage, first met the President this morning with his wife.
The Prince, wearing a pale grey double-breasted suit, and the Duchess of Cornwall, in a cream crepe dress by designer Anna Valentine, were greeted by a formidable-looking guard of honour at La Moneda Palace.
The Prince and the Duchess began the day by paying their respects at the monument to Bernardo O'Higgins, the founding father of Chile.
O'Higgins was the first leader of his country after Chileans repelled the Spanish nearly 200 years ago.
After meeting the President, the couple visited an energy centre campaign at Parque Bustamente.
Prince Charles admired various devices that children had invented to save energy and thereby help protect the environment.
The couple carried out eight engagements today on their first full day of the tour, which will also include Brazil and Ecuador, where they will visit the Galapagos Islands.
The Prince alone also attended a round table discussion on climate change when he will be joined by 25 business leaders.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office wants to use the Prince's expertise, experience and contacts more from now on in "soft diplomacy" abroad.
Some diplomats feel he is an asset that has been under-used. The Prince's views on climate change and the environment are widely admired by world leaders.
On Thursday, in Brazil, Prince Charles will deliver a keynote speech when he will warn the world has less than 100 months to act if it is to avoid irreversible damage from climate change.