Prince Charles' visit to Lincoln University
Jon Manhire, Director of The AgriBusiness Group and Chair of the Lincoln University BHU Organics Trust was invited to attend the address from the Prince of Wales on the State of the Global Environment at Lincoln University. In his powerful speech, the Prince addressed the devastating environmental issues we are faced with and our responsibility and the many opportunities to solve the current crisis.
Charles, Prince of Wales, with Jon Manhire on the left
Photo credit: Lincoln University
On Friday 22nd November, the Prince of Wales visited Lincoln University, providing an inspiring address on the State of the Global Environment (see link here to speech). After giving his address, he spoke to several students about their environmentally-related research and reviewed some projects and initiatives linked to the University, like the work from the Biological Husbandry Unit Organics Trust.
His speech started with an outline of the global crisis - focusing on the climate and biodiversity emergency and the reality that we have very little time before we reach a tipping point from which it would be very difficult for the planet to recover from. He highlighted the many environmental issues we face including the loss of the Amazon rain forest, the impacts of climate change, ocean pollution and the loss of fishing habitat and stocks - and linked these with the view that
“we have come to view human achievement in terms of our ability to defeat Nature, to defy the limitations she imposes on us, and to demonstrate our own supremacy as a species over the natural economy she requires.”
Prince Charles, however, provided a thoughtful analysis of strategies to address the crisis which included the following:
Taking into account insights from indigenous peoples – including the common reference of reflecting on the consequences for unborn children seven generations in the future when making decisions. Of particular relevance in the New Zealand context is the Māori principle of Kaitiakitanga which holds that we humans are intrinsically connected to the natural environment and that it is beholden on us to treat it with care, guardianship and good management.
Looking at nature-based solutions – many of these are available now and can help decarbonise our society, including how we grow our food such as the use of agro-ecological farming methods. These methods include management strategies that protect and enhance soil health and fertility, biodiversity as well as the management of waste. He highlighted that many of these solutions are increasingly cost-effective and can address multiple issues if incorporated into an integrated system-wide approach.
Promoting food produced under these systems to meet the increasing consumer demand for products that positively address the crisis – the Prince highlighted the significant opportunity for New Zealand in this area. He also outlined the work that he is undertaking with the establishment of the Sustainable Markets Council, which is supported by the World Economic Forum. It has the goal of helping transition the global economy towards sustainable markets and rapid decarbonisation.
Encouraging the use of new financial system models such as natural capital pricing, blended finance, impact bonds and climate financing. He also outlined the rapid growth in sustainable investment opportunities that are driving change and leveraging new technologies rapidly to decarbonise the global economy.
Though he outlined a very bleak potential vision for the planet his outline of solutions to address the crisis was positive and achievable. However, it needs a conscious effort by all to make it happen. One of his positive insights was that
“nature-based solutions demonstrate that if we give space to Nature, she has an extraordinary capacity to regenerate. Examples can be seen in protected/regeneration areas, forest conservation, sand dunes, mangroves, seagrass and kelp beds, coral and shellfish reefs, wild farming and fisheries, restoration of peatlands, and permanent grasslands. Nature-based approaches can also fuel a sustainable bio-economy and create new income opportunities in areas such as eco-tourism.”
Following his address, I was privileged to be invited to meet with Prince Charles in my role as Chair of the Lincoln University BHU Organics Trust. Prince Charles has long been a champion for action on a wide range of environmental issues including organic agriculture and his passion and depth of knowledge on these issues were very evident. I was impressed with his address and my subsequent discussion with him. It is great to see this real leadership at this time of crisis.
The work of the AgriBusiness Group aligns well with the action plan that the Prince outlined. Our New Zealand based and international activities, as well as our research, all have a focus on supporting sustainable land use. Our various projects can be reviewed on our website while our research activity can be reviewed on the Sustainable Wellbeing website and the ARGOS – Pathways to Sustainability website.
