Peter Dykstra: Does climate action need a king?

Tradition could silence Charles III’s passionate voice on climate change. But should it?

So let’s figure this out: The Prince of Wales, historically passionate and outspoken about climate change, biodiversity and ocean issues, is supposed to clam up just as he rises to maximum visibility and influence?


The King Charles III has been right about climate change for decades. And organic farming. And biodiversity.

Here’s what he wrote for Newsweek in April:

“The world is on the brink, and we need the mobilizing urgency of a war-like footing if we are to win.”

Maybe we should listen a little.

But the backlash might be both strong and varied should the new king break with tradition and remain an active voice on climate.

British journalist Ella Creamer wrote in Politico: “If Charles continues his activist work, he may stand to forfeit not only approval among the American public — already dented by memory of his 90s affair — but also American interest in the British monarchy as a whole.”

Another, less pearl-clutching school of thought is that the king lacks moral authority to judge on climate because he’s a king – a filthy rich, manor-owning, jet-setting king.

Emily Atkin’s superb Heated newsletter contains a litany of complaints that, as front man for a historically brutal empire, Charles shouldn’t be looked to as a climate “king.”

The jet-setter argument has been thrown in Al Gore’s face every day for the past thirty-plus years. Leading a movement that wishes to drastically reduce carbon footprints in a climate emergency should not require one to travel only by covered wagon or Roman-style trireme. Every once in a while, world leaders gotta lead.

A terrible precedent

One Renaissance-era monarch set an unforgettable precedent for future rulers.

Henry VIII ruled Britain for much the early 16th century, and brought thunderous change to the nation and the throne. He was a bit of a royal boat rocker, ditching the Roman Catholic Church for crimping his style as a royal party animal.

Stay informed: sign up for Above the Fold
Consequential news on your health and the planet, FREE to your inbox every morning.


After years of alleged debauchery, divorce and worse, Pope Clement VII threatened to excommunicate Henry in 1532, but died before he could follow through. His successor, Pope Paul III, ran Henry out in 1534.

In response, Henry VIII began what became the 50-year process of quitting Catholicism and founding the Church of England. It was a strong but imperfect example of a British monarch laying it down. My half-serious point here: If Henry VIII could turn the monarchy upside down for his own libido, Charles can vent a bit on an existential issue.

Even the Vatican…

…and its infallible pontiffs have come around to acknowledging basic science: In 1992 Pope John Paul II conceded the church has been wrong about heliocentrism – the earth really does revolve around the sun.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI praised Galileo for his contributions to science.

Then in 2015 Pope Francis issued the papal encyclical Laudato Si’, which directs catholics to devote words and deeds to protecting the Earth.

It’s hard to match the papal timeline to the British monarchy’s since the same monarch has been on the job through seven popes.

But maybe heredity’s at play. Charles’s dad, the late Prince Phillip, co-founded and served as president of the World Wildlife Fund International. His son, the new Prince of Wales, is backing The Earthshot Prize, an effort to highlight and support large-scale innovation.

Her Royal Highness Elizabeth II will be laid to rest this week, respected and beloved. I doubt Her Majesty will spin in her royal grave if her son continued to pitch in to save the planet. (And if she did, might she be a symbolic, energy-creating turbine? Sorry, too soon?)

Peter Dykstra is our weekend editor and columnist and can be reached at pdykstra@ehn.org or @pdykstra.

His views do not necessarily represent those of Environmental Health News, The Daily Climate, or publisher Environmental Health Sciences.

Tearful woman seemingly leaving job and carrying contents of her office

Fearing retaliation, scientists are struggling to share impacts of federal cuts

The Trump administration retaliated against scientists who stepped forward publicly to express concerns over federal policies. But many are still sharing their fears anonymously.
A factory or power plant with smokestacks emitting pollution
Credit: Faux Toe/Big Stock Photo

Top scientists find growing evidence that greenhouse gases are, in fact, a danger

The assessment contradicts the Trump administration’s legal arguments for relaxing pollution rules.
flooded street with three car rooftops peaking above water

Climate change ‘beyond scientific dispute,’ National Academies report says

The report is a sharp rebuttal to a recent Trump administration's report, and Republicans have already targeted the report as “a blatant partisan act.”
several rows of solar panels on a roof

Climate activist Bill McKibben to Houston: It’s solar’s time to shine

Speaking in the heart of the oil industry, climate activist Bill McKibben said solar power has become the cheapest and fastest-growing energy source, offering Texas a path to lead the clean energy transition.

Coral reef and associated marine life
Photo by Shaun Low on Unsplash

Corals won’t survive a warmer planet, a new study finds

Most corals in the Atlantic Ocean will soon stop growing. Many are already dying, leaving shorelines and marine ecosystems vulnerable.
Outer Banks  home built on stilts

Watch the sea claim yet another house in N.C.’s Outer Banks

Erosion, rising seas and churning storms have caused the collapse of a dozen homes on that stretch of seashore over the past five years.
Oysters with knife and one oyster opened
Photo by Mitili Mitili on Unsplash

Ghanaian women try to sustain oyster farming threatened by climate change

In Ghana, women are struggling to sustain oyster farming, a key livelihood in coastal mangroves. Hundreds of women were trained in farming methods for oysters, including mangrove planting and preservation, and selective oyster harvesting, to lessen the impact of climate change.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.