RICHARD Madeley today hit out at Meghan and Harry for lecturing Brits on climate change. The Good Morning Britain host said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make a “big deal” about not flying but continue to fly around on private jets. Richard, who is jetting off to France next week, said the argument for […]
RICHARD Madeley today hit out at Meghan and Harry for lecturing Brits on climate change.
The Good Morning Britain host said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make a “big deal” about not flying but continue to fly around on private jets.
Richard, who is jetting off to France next week, said the argument for climate change is “shaky” as a result and people should practice what they preach.
Discussing the issue with GMB’s Laura Tobin, he said: “I think it’s when people are in a position to lecture us go and do something different.
“I’m thinking about Harry and Meghan who about a year and half ago two years ago made a big deal about not flying.
“And at the same time they were kind of flying down to see Elton John on his private jet, making other flights… Harry made a flight to go to a sports tournament the other day and then flew back.
“I think that’s when the argument gets shaky – when people tell us what to do and go and quietly go ahead and do their own thing anyway.”
Meteorologist Laura, who has been covering the impact of climate change from the Arctic, said it depends “how many times you (fly)”.
“With me last week I wasn’t telling anybody what to do, I was reporting on climate change,” she said.
“But anybody who was wondering, we all flew regular class, not business class. And out footprint was far outweighed by the millions of people watching our report.
“So it’s leading by example.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have championed eco-causes since quitting royal life last year, including the importance of cutting down air miles.
They were also named as environmental “role models” earlier this year for deciding to have no more than two children to reduce their impact on the planet.
In 2019 Harry told an eco talk he only flies on private jets to protect his family but admitted “no one is perfect”.
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It was estimated last year that the couple’s carbon footprint could be 26 times higher than the average Brit.
They were said to generate 215 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from flights against the UK average of 8.3 tons for one person.
They also racked up at least 53 international flights in the 12 months to the end of January 2020, according to a study by former MP Norman Baker.
Mr Baker said at the time: “The only thing green about Prince Harry are his wellies.
“The self-appointed eco-warrior, who likes to lecture everybody else on climate change, is in the top one per cent of people on the planet for carbon emissions.
“He should cut the carbon and, if not, at least cut the crap.”
