Prince William has sounded the alarm on what he called a “nature crisis” facing the planet during a landmark speech at an anti-wildlife trafficking summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Speaking at the United for Wildlife Summit, organized by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, William emphasized the urgent need for global action to protect biodiversity and support those on the frontlines of conservation.
Latin America’s Role in Biodiversity
Addressing the conference, the Prince hailed Latin America as a “global leader in biodiversity and environmental conservation” and stressed the region’s crucial role in shaping the world’s response to nature loss.
“We all know that we face a nature crisis… with global biodiversity decreasing, climate change accelerating, and environmental crime fuelling ecological decline,” he said.
William highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that over 1.7 million hectares of the Amazon were cleared in the past year, much of it driven by illegal activity.
He warned that environmental crime not only harms ecosystems but also fuels violence, corruption, and threatens the livelihoods of millions.
Protecting Indigenous Communities
For Indigenous communities, the stakes are even higher. “As forests are destroyed, so are their ancestral lands, sacred sites and even lives,” the Prince said.
In response, he announced a new partnership between the Royal Foundation and Indigenous leaders to provide an emergency support fund for those facing deadly consequences for standing up to illegal activity.
He cited sobering statistics: Latin America recorded 120 environmental protectors killed or disappeared in 2024, representing more than 80% of such cases globally.
“We cannot manage our forests while their protectors live in fear,” he stressed.
Meeting the Guardians of the Amazon
William met women from the Guajajara people’s Guerreiros da Floresta collective, whose work blends ancestral knowledge with modern technology to combat illegal logging, poaching, and land invasions.
These Indigenous women were featured in the sixth episode of the BBC Earth ‘Guardians’ series, highlighting the dangerous work of environmental rangers worldwide.
The Prince praised their efforts directly: “I recognise you! You guys were brilliant in the film,” he said through a translator, asking them about their safety, support, and experiences.
Symbolic Gestures and Cultural Respect
During the summit, William wore a striking black-and-cream scarf presented by Vanda Witoto, a Climate Activist and Indigenous leader from the Brazilian Amazon.
The scarf, which took three hours to make, symbolized food and health and represented a gesture of cultural respect.
He also greeted Brazilian TV presenter Maria Julia ‘Maju’ Coutinho, the first Black woman to anchor a primetime national newscast in Brazil, highlighting his engagement with diverse voices in the country.
A Royal Touch on Sport and Youth Engagement
Before his summit speech, William took part in a series of more lighthearted activities, including a beach volleyball game with Olympic star Carolina Solberg and a three-a-side football match with former Brazil defender Cafu.
Though his team lost 3-2, he quickly shifted focus to a training session with local schoolchildren, helping them improve balance by dribbling cups of water across the field.
The session ended with William taking a penalty against 14-year-old goalie Pedro Enrique, scoring and delighting the young players who mobbed him for high-fives, showing that even in Brazil, the Prince can connect with the next generation while promoting sport and environmental awareness.
United for Wildlife and the Way Forward
Prince William’s visit to Rio reinforced his commitment to both global conservation and the protection of those working on the ground.
Through the Royal Foundation and partnerships with Indigenous communities, he is driving action to ensure that environmental defenders can continue safeguarding vital ecosystems.
His message was clear: protecting nature requires courage, collaboration, and the unwavering support of those willing to defend the planet’s most critical resources.