Prince William believes we can “change the tide” of the climate crisis if young people educate relatives about the damage they cause.
The Duke of Cambridge made the rallying call in a chat with seven young people named 2020’s Young Champions of the Earth by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
William said: “If every young person educates their family on the environmental impact they are having, that in turn is making a difference and changing the tide and creating that momentum.
“I’m incredibly inspired and just so proud about everything you guys have done.
"If young people have a tiny bit of that passion that you have, then there’s a really good opportunity to do good in the environmental world.
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“You are the shining lights of that movement and that interest.
"It allows people to see your path, your journey and go, ‘Do you know what? I want some of that, I can do that, I’ve got some ideas, too’.”
One of the young champions taking part in the online chat was Nzambi Matee, from Kenya.
She told William that she had successfully managed to stop her gran using plastic bags.
Nzambi, who makes sustainable building materials, said: “It was not hard to convince my gran and her friends to stop using their bags.
“In fact, they were telling me, ‘Don’t throw those bags away’.
"If we can convince my grandmother not to use plastic bags, we can do anything!”
The champions – aged 18 to 30 – also include Lefteris Arapakis, from Greece, whose organisation teaches people how to fish sustainably and promotes plastic clean-ups.
William recently launched the Earthshot Prize, which will hand out a series of £1million awards over the next decade to solve environmental problems.
Are you listening, Charles?
William has been hailed for his eco stance – though the royals don’t always get it right.
The Sunday Mirror told a year ago how Prince Charles flew 125 miles by helicopter to give a speech on climate change to scientists, emitting 12 times more pollution than driving.
The Prince of Wales’ household website says he is committed to reducing his carbon footprint.
