It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of HRH Prince Philip, who passed earlier today. The GWPF offers its condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip, an environmental campaigner and fellow climate realist, will be profoundly missed.
Duke of Edinburgh invites climate change heretic David Bellamy to Buckingham Palace
The Daily Telegraph, 3 February 2013
Prince Philip has invited David Bellamy, who was allegedly banned from the BBC because of his views on global warming, to give a lecture at Buckingham Palace.
The late Professor David Bellamy OBE and Prince Philip in 2008
The Prince of Wales warned in March 2009 that there were “less than 100 months to act” to save the planet from irreversible damage due to climate change. His father is known to be more sceptical.
Now, the Duke of Edinburgh has invited Britain’s best-known global warming heretic to give a lecture at Buckingham Palace.
David Bellamy, who described last month how the BBC “froze him out” when he dismissed global warming as “poppycock”, is to give the inaugural David Bellamy Lecture at the Palace next month.
Prince Philip is holding the event as honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management.
Princes Philip and Charles air their differences on environment
The Times, 11 March 2013
Every household has the occasional awkward family dinner, and Buckingham Palace may be in for one as the Prince of Wales and his father enter the fray from opposite sides in the national debate on environmentalism.
Prince Charles voiced his concern for the environment in a special edition of Countryfile yesterday, saying that people owed it to their grandchildren to protect the natural world.
On Wednesday the Duke of Edinburgh will host the first annual lecture celebrating the life and work of David Bellamy, a renowned climate sceptic, who was sacked as president of the Wildlife Trusts after dismissing global warming as “poppycock”.
While the two royals have previously expressed differing views on the environment, the separate interventions reveal an apparently stark divergence of opinion.
In Countryfile, BBC One’s weekly rural affairs show, Prince Charles did not directly address climate change but indicated his broad concern. “We need to think about what kind of world we’re handing on to our successors, particularly grandchildren,” he said.
“If you think of it in those terms, it should make us reflect a little bit about the way we do things so we don’t ruin it for them.”
He made a similar point while speaking last month in a speech to the European Parliament, where he lambasted climate change deniers for playing “a reckless game of roulette” with the Earth’s future.
The Duke of Edinburgh is understood to take a more sceptical view and previously caused controversy by describing wind turbines as “absolutely useless”.
Full story
Christopher Booker: The time Prince Philip wrote to me in praise of my views on global warming
The Sunday Telegraph, 6 August 2017
Like countless others, I have a personal reason for wishing to pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh as he finally steps back at the age of 96 from many of his more obvious royal duties.
In 2009 I published The Real Global Warming Disaster, a history of the the great panic over climate change, which soon ranked with one by Al Gore as one of the three top-selling books on the subject published in this century.
This prompted notably contrasting responses from two members of the Royal family. The Prince of Wales protested that he was quite “bemused”’ by my views on global warming, struck me off his Christmas card list, where I had been ever since was one of his advisers on environmental matters back in the Eighties.
I was, however, startled and delighted to have a long, thoughtful and sympathetic letter from his father, who also wanted to correct a mistake in my book. I had said he was still a supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, which he co-founded in 1961. In fact, he said, he had withdrawn from the WWF after it switched from its original focus on saving endangered species to relentless campaigning against global warming.
Back in the 1960s, I wrote a far from kindly profile of Prince Philip in Private Eye. But over later decades, like many others, I came to have ever more admiration for him, not least since he has represented those values of robust masculine common sense which in the post-war years when I grew up were taken for granted but which in public life today are little more than a distant memory.
In 2011 one newspaper marked his 90th birthday by publishing a whole page of his more “notorious gaffes”. I later met several people who, like me, had gone through that list ticking off every one of his supposedly embarrassing remarks with a nod of amused approval. How fortunate we have been to have such an extraordinary man at the centre of our national life for 70 years.
[ ]( http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/05/time-prince-philip-wrote-praise-views-global-warming-marked/ )
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How Prince Philip's 'controversial letter' puts him on collision course with Charles
Daily Express, 8 June 2020
Prince Philip appears to have utterly different views on climate change from those of his son, Prince Charles, unearthed reports reveal.
In January, Prince Charles said that global warming and climate change are the greatest threats humanity has faced and called on business leaders in Davos to act swiftly in order to create a sustainable economic future. In a speech to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss ski resort this year, the heir to the throne said it was time for everyone in a leadership role to take action “at revolutionary levels and pace”. He said: “We are in the midst of a crisis that is now, I hope, well understood.
“Global warming, climate change, the devastating loss of biodiversity are the greatest threats that humanity has ever faced and one largely of our own creation.”
The 71-year-old Prince, who chose to make the final leg of his journey to Davos by electric car rather than helicopter, has spent much of his life campaigning for business and governments to take more notice of environmental issues.
According to unearthed reports, though, his views might have set him on a collision course with his father, Prince Philip.
In a 2018 report by The Telegraph, author and journalist Christopher Booker revealed that after the publication of his 2009 book "The Real Global Warming Disaster", he received two notably contrasting responses from Charles and Philip.
In the book, Mr Booker asserts that global warming cannot be attributed to humans, and then alleges how the scientific opinion on climate change was formulated.
He claims that global warming is not supported by a significant number of climate scientists, and criticises how the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents evidence and data, in particular citing its reliance on potentially inaccurate global climate models to make temperature projections.
In The Telegraph report, the journalist revealed that after his book's publication, the Prince of Wales "protested that he was quite 'bemused' by his views on global warming", and "struck him off" the royal Christmas card list.
On the other hand, his father, Prince Philip, reportedly wrote Mr Booker "a long, thoughtful and sympathetic letter", in which he also wanted to correct a mistake he had made in the book.
Mr Booker said: "I had said Prince Philip was still a supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, which he co-founded in 1961.
"In fact, he said, he had withdrawn from the WWF after it switched from its original focus on saving endangered species to relentless campaigning against global warming."
The Duke of Edinburgh – the longest serving consort in British history – will celebrate his 99th birthday on Wednesday.
Prince Philip dismisses wind farms as 'a useless disgrace' and says people who back them believe in a 'fairy tale'
Daily Mail, 20 November 2011
Prince Philip has launched an outspoken attack on wind farms, branding them ‘absolutely useless’.
In comments that put him sharply at odds with the Government, the Prince reportedly said the farms were a ‘disgrace’ and they would never work.
He also described people who backed them as believing in a ‘fairy tale’.
“Global warming, climate change, the devastating loss of biodiversity are the greatest threats that humanity has ever faced and one largely of our own creation.”
The 71-year-old Prince, who chose to make the final leg of his journey to Davos by electric car rather than helicopter, has spent much of his life campaigning for business and governments to take more notice of environmental issues.
According to unearthed reports, though, his views might have set him on a collision course with his father, Prince Philip.
In a 2018 report by The Telegraph, author and journalist Christopher Booker revealed that after the publication of his 2009 book "The Real Global Warming Disaster", he received two notably contrasting responses from Charles and Philip.
In the book, Mr Booker asserts that global warming cannot be attributed to humans, and then alleges how the scientific opinion on climate change was formulated.
He claims that global warming is not supported by a significant number of climate scientists, and criticises how the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents evidence and data, in particular citing its reliance on potentially inaccurate global climate models to make temperature projections.
In The Telegraph report, the journalist revealed that after his book's publication, the Prince of Wales "protested that he was quite 'bemused' by his views on global warming", and "struck him off" the royal Christmas card list.
On the other hand, his father, Prince Philip, reportedly wrote Mr Booker "a long, thoughtful and sympathetic letter", in which he also wanted to correct a mistake he had made in the book.
Mr Booker said: "I had said Prince Philip was still a supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, which he co-founded in 1961.
"In fact, he said, he had withdrawn from the WWF after it switched from its original focus on saving endangered species to relentless campaigning against global warming."
The Duke of Edinburgh – the longest serving consort in British history – will celebrate his 99th birthday on Wednesday.
Prince Philip dismisses wind farms as 'a useless disgrace' and says people who back them believe in a 'fairy tale'
Daily Mail, 20 November 2011
Prince Philip has launched an outspoken attack on wind farms, branding them ‘absolutely useless’.
In comments that put him sharply at odds with the Government, the Prince reportedly said the farms were a ‘disgrace’ and they would never work.
He also described people who backed them as believing in a ‘fairy tale’.
Outburst: Prince Philip reportedly said that wind farms were a disgrace and they would never work
The Prince’s views will be welcomed by critics who say the wind turbines, which can be up to 300ft tall, are noisy, spoil the countryside and drive up energy bills.
But the Government is determined to increase the proportion of electricity produced by the turbines as part of its environmentally friendly energy policies.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne last month denounced opponents of the plans as ‘curmudgeons and fault-finders’ and praised the turbines as ‘elegant’ and ‘beautiful’.
There are currently 3,421 turbines in Britain – 2,941 of them onshore. A further 4,500 are planned over the next few years. The Prince is said to have voiced his views in a private conversation with an executive for a leading wind farm company at a recent reception in London.
According to today’s Sunday Telegraph, he told Esbjorn Wilmar, managing director of Infinergy, a firm that builds and operates turbines, that they were over-reliant on subsidies.
The newspaper quoted Mr Wilmar as saying: ‘He said they were absolutely useless, completely reliant on subsidies and an absolute disgrace. He said, “You don’t believe in fairy tales, do you?”
‘He said that they would never work as they need back-up capacity. I was surprised by his very frank views.’
It was disclosed last year that electricity customers are paying an average of £90 a year to subsidise wind farms along with other forms of renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes as part of a Government scheme to meet carbon-reduction targets.
Mr Wilmar said one of the main reasons the Duke thought onshore wind farms to be ‘a very bad idea’ was their reliance on such subsidies.
The financial incentives being offered to green energy developers have led landowners – including the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin – to look to build wind farms on their estates.
Prince Philip said he would never consider allowing his land to be used for turbines and complained about their impact on the countryside.
Full story
Ex-Chancellor backs Philip over attack on wind farms which Duke described as 'absolutely useless'
Daily Mail, 21 November 2011
Former Chancellor Lord Lawson yesterday led the backing for Prince Philip after he branded wind farms ‘absolutely useless’.
In a scathing attack, the Duke of Edinburgh said the turbines were ‘completely reliant on subsidies’ and ‘would never work’.
His comments are a rebuke to the Government, which is trying to increase the amount of energy generated by wind farms and other renewable technologies.
Last night Lord Lawson said the Duke was ‘spot on’ and speaking on behalf of ordinary people in fuel poverty.
The Duke of Edinburgh's criticism of wind power has been backed by Lord Lawson
Philip made the remarks to Esbjorn Wilmar, managing director of Infinergy, which is building offshore turbines around Britain.
Mr Wilmar said he introduced himself to the 90-year-old Duke at a reception and suggested he put wind turbines on royal property.
‘He said that they were absolutely useless, completely reliant on subsidies and an absolute disgrace. I was surprised by his very frank views,’ he said.
When Mr Wilmar tried to argue that onshore turbines are one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, the Duke apparently replied: ‘You don’t believe in fairy tales do you?’
Mr Wilmar added: ‘He said they would never work as they need back-up capacity.’
And the Duke apparently told him: ‘You stay away from my estate young man.’
The Prince’s views will be welcomed by critics who say the wind turbines, which can be up to 300ft tall, are noisy, spoil the countryside and drive up energy bills.
But the Government is determined to increase the proportion of electricity produced by the turbines as part of its environmentally friendly energy policies.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne last month denounced opponents of the plans as ‘curmudgeons and fault-finders’ and praised the turbines as ‘elegant’ and ‘beautiful’.
There are currently 3,421 turbines in Britain – 2,941 of them onshore. A further 4,500 are planned over the next few years. The Prince is said to have voiced his views in a private conversation with an executive for a leading wind farm company at a recent reception in London.
According to today’s Sunday Telegraph, he told Esbjorn Wilmar, managing director of Infinergy, a firm that builds and operates turbines, that they were over-reliant on subsidies.
The newspaper quoted Mr Wilmar as saying: ‘He said they were absolutely useless, completely reliant on subsidies and an absolute disgrace. He said, “You don’t believe in fairy tales, do you?”
‘He said that they would never work as they need back-up capacity. I was surprised by his very frank views.’
It was disclosed last year that electricity customers are paying an average of £90 a year to subsidise wind farms along with other forms of renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes as part of a Government scheme to meet carbon-reduction targets.
Mr Wilmar said one of the main reasons the Duke thought onshore wind farms to be ‘a very bad idea’ was their reliance on such subsidies.
The financial incentives being offered to green energy developers have led landowners – including the Duke of Gloucester, the Queen’s cousin – to look to build wind farms on their estates.
Prince Philip said he would never consider allowing his land to be used for turbines and complained about their impact on the countryside.
Full story
Ex-Chancellor backs Philip over attack on wind farms which Duke described as 'absolutely useless'
Daily Mail, 21 November 2011
Former Chancellor Lord Lawson yesterday led the backing for Prince Philip after he branded wind farms ‘absolutely useless’.
In a scathing attack, the Duke of Edinburgh said the turbines were ‘completely reliant on subsidies’ and ‘would never work’.
His comments are a rebuke to the Government, which is trying to increase the amount of energy generated by wind farms and other renewable technologies.
Last night Lord Lawson said the Duke was ‘spot on’ and speaking on behalf of ordinary people in fuel poverty.
The Duke of Edinburgh's criticism of wind power has been backed by Lord Lawson
Mr Wilmar said he introduced himself to the 90-year-old Duke at a reception and suggested he put wind turbines on royal property.
‘He said that they were absolutely useless, completely reliant on subsidies and an absolute disgrace. I was surprised by his very frank views,’ he said.
When Mr Wilmar tried to argue that onshore turbines are one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, the Duke apparently replied: ‘You don’t believe in fairy tales do you?’
Mr Wilmar added: ‘He said they would never work as they need back-up capacity.’
And the Duke apparently told him: ‘You stay away from my estate young man.’
Yesterday Lord Lawson, a former Tory Chancellor and leading climate change sceptic, said: ‘[The Duke] is spot on. He rightly feels strongly about the issue and equally clearly knows what he is talking about.
‘If you tried to devise the most costly and inefficient means of generating electricity imaginable, you would choose wind power – which is also an environmental monstrosity, desecrating ever more of our English landscape.
‘And the cost of all this – to no benefit except to the wind power industry itself – is paid by all electricity consumers, including the poorest, and damages the British economy which is fragile enough as it is.’
The London-based Global Warming Policy Forum is a world leading think tank on global warming policy issues. The GWPF newsletter is prepared by Director Dr Benny Peiser - for more information, please visit the website at www.thegwpf.com.
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