Did you know that Prince Albert II of Monaco…

• Is the son of the late American actress Grace Kelly, who was also the first US actress to be printed on a postage stamp?
• Is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Prince Albert I of Monaco, who was an avid explorer of oceanography and created many instruments in his day for scientists to study the various marine species?

Meeting a prince is any girl’s dream, but coming face-to-face with His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco was neither intimidating nor dreamy as one might expect. In fact, the reality is that he is flesh and blood like the rest of us — as is the reality that global warming is happening and it’s happening now.

The prince, who represented Europe, was in Singapore to receive his award for “The Champions of the Earth”. Established in 2004, this award is presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) every year to seven of the world’s most outstanding environmental leaders.

In 2005 and 2006, Prince Albert followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Prince Albert I, by venturing to the Arctic to see first hand the impact of global warming. He was soon inspired to establish the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation that, according to its website, “aims to be a catalyst for environmental projects.”

At a press conference held at the Science Centre on Earth Day, April 22, Prince Albert answered questions from the floor, which consisted largely of junior college students. He talked about his interest in the environment and how cities like Singapore can be regional leaders for green technology in the area.

“As an economic giant in this region, it also means that you have the responsibility to show leadership [in environmental technologies] in this area,” Prince Albert recommended. Professor Peter Ng elaborated that Singapore can help regional countries like Indonesia and the Philippines by sharing with them how to use such technologies to improve energy efficiency. “When they (neighbouring countries) become richer, we become richer,” he said.
On the topic of Monaco and the environment, Prince Albert noted that Monaco itself is working on constructing more efficient transportation systems that will reduce carbon emissions. Ironically, Monaco is hosting the Formula 1 Grand Prix this May, which is bound to require a lot of energy and consequently use up precious fossil fuels. Yet, Prince Albert shared that emphasis should be placed into developing technologies that will help to make such practices more environmentally friendly.

“It’s not a question of banning automobiles or rejecting automobile sport, but it’s trying to bring them into the process of creating better solutions,” he said.

He added that, at an automobile show in Geneva a few weeks before this conference, there were already talks of newer engine models that use energy more efficiently. “Perhaps Formula 1 cars as well will be totally hybrid in the future.”

Following the press conference, Prince Albert made his way to the Business for the Environment Summit (B4E) at Suntec Convention Centre for a panel discussion. Among the panelists were the other Champions of the Earth winners, including Dr. Balgis OsmanElsha, a senior scientist from Sudan who is also an author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, and Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS).

Dr. Rahman, who is leading the BCAS as South Asia’s sustainability think-tank, said that it is everyone’s responsibility to “rise together and deliver a better future for this planet or we will all sink together. By integrating environment and development, we are trying to show that North and South and rich and poor do not have two different fates.”

Dr. Osman-Elsha, who has worked on a range of research projects in her native land, and also won the Nobel Peace Prize with the IPCC last year, regarded receiving her Champions of the Earth award as an honour. She added, “It gives you the feeling and the power to do more and I think the proudest moment is yet to come. We have no other planet—there is only one Earth: this is the message!”

Echoing the general consensus that climate change required urgent action, Prince Albert stated, “The world is facing an unprecedented threat. We must assume our responsibilities without delay and rise to the challenge that history has placed upon our path.”

ECO Singapore wishes Prince Albert and the rest of the environmental leaders the very best in spearheading initiatives that will bring the world one step closer to sustainable development.