In a recent interview on “Good Morning Britain,” renowned “Star Trek” actor William Shatner passionately implored the United Kingdom’s King Charles to emphasize the urgent threat of climate change in his inaugural address at the upcoming COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Shatner, known for his iconic role as Captain Kirk, suggested that the King should start his speech with a stark message: “We’re all going to die.”
Shatner emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change. He highlighted the ongoing extinction of various species, including insects, criticizing humanity’s ignorance and apathy towards these vital parts of our ecosystem. Shatner expressed frustration with the lack of widespread recognition of the severity of these environmental issues.
His remarks come as global leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, prepare to attend COP28, a significant event in the international climate change dialogue. The conference is scheduled to span several days, starting this Thursday and concluding on December 12, with King Charles expected to deliver the opening address.
During the interview, Shatner also reflected on his own historic space journey aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket in 2021, which made him the oldest person to travel to space. This journey was previously criticized by Prince William for focusing on space tourism rather than Earth’s environmental challenges. In response, Shatner defended his space travel, arguing it was a step towards moving polluting industries off Earth and could significantly contribute to research in chemistry and engineering.
Shatner’s comments on “Good Morning Britain” sparked various reactions online, with some criticizing his space voyage as a mere pleasure trip and others acknowledging the potential hypocrisy in his environmental advocacy. However, Shatner maintained that neglecting the potential of space exploration could hinder important scientific research.
The actor has frequently spoken about his space experience, including in his book “Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder,” where he described feeling a sense of grief rather than celebration during his space journey, likening it to attending a funeral. Shatner’s call to action and his views on environmental issues reflect his deep concern for the future of the planet and the importance of immediate and decisive action to combat climate change.