An activist on the throne
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Prince Charles.
Britain having a new king need not matter to other countries or peoples thereof. It is just an ornamental title for the British people and the Commonwealth. But Charles III's ascension to the throne gives hope to those interested in global issues, including the climate, according to reports. A new Prime Minister and a new King have been announced in Britain just two days apart. They have different views at various levels. While Prime Minister Liz Truss takes a regressive right-wing stance on climate, immigration and in warmongering, Charles III's stances are somewhat more progressive. He has prioritized public interest over vested interests in various matters like agriculture, genetic modification, global warming and poverty. Though flaws were pointed out his nature conservation approaches in practice, he has long been recognized as a front-runner among climate activists. Charles has been the chief speaker at most climate summits. His views have been noted at summits such as Davos, Copenhagen, Paris and last year's Glasgow. It is ironic that Liz Truss assumes the reins of power when such a man is the King. While activists and governments are fighting in different countries, here, an activist is the powerless head of state, and on the other hand, a representative of the climate destroyers is the leader of the reign. But many have reason to see hope in Charles.
Britain has had a role in the climate crisis as it is in colonialism and global systems of exploitation. It was the country that ushered the world into the industrial era. During those 150 years of dumping coal waste into the atmosphere, the average temperature has risen dangerously high. Charles is known as someone who has studied history and science of this and has taken a firm stand. Perhaps he will be able to exert more influence in this regard than the Prime Minister. Through the strange methods of democracy, Liz Truss, who came to power with the support of less than two hundred thousand people (0.3 per cent of the total British electorate) of the Conservative Party, has no way of being as popular as Charles. But in Britain, the monarch does not traditionally have any politics or a political position. On the contrary, the prime minister is showing thoughtlessness by saying in advance that she is ready for nuclear war in Ukraine. As for the King, he has declared his policy to be politically neutral. However, it is believed that he will be able to use his knowledge and experience for climate change in other areas. It would be good if he could act as a driving force in this matter in the absence of common leadership in the world.
Although there are a number of climate activist movements globally, within the crucial decision-making leaderships in government, there are mostly those opposed to it. An exception is the former US Vice President Al Gore. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US's Obama and Canada's Trudeau have also shown interest in solutions to climate change. The new British monarch may be able to bring them together as a group that can get things done by governments. Charles had previously written to British Prime Ministers about climate change several times. He has given lectures and held private discussions with world leaders. It may look funny that scientists look with hopes to the British throne, a mere title of decoration, as the Earth passes one by one the critical milestones (the 'tipping points' of no return) of the climate crisis. However, in an area suffering from a lack of leadership, no one who can solve that deficiency and facilitate treatment, including 'climate justice', is to be ignored. It remains to be seen how much 'Activist King Charles' can do in a position that is irrelevant to his own country. Will he remain silent because he is the King, or act for what he believes in?
