Prince William Warns of Overpopulation While Expecting Royal Baby Number Three

The royal spoke of the dangers of allowing the world's population to grow while expecting his third child with wife Kate Middleton.

Royal family | ELLE UK
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The Duke of Cambridge has warned that overpopulation across the world could have perilous effects for the planet unless significant actions it taken to reduce mounting pressure on wildlife and rainforests.

During his speak at the Tusk Trust's charity gala last night, the prince told the audience that global wildlife populations had halved since he was born in 1982 and Africa's human population was projected to double within 25 years.

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Encouraging the world to address the issues with renewed strength, the 35-year-old said: "We are going to have to work much harder, and think much deeper, if we are to ensure that human beings and the other species of animal with which we share this planet can continue to co-exist."

Echoing the views of his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who in 2011 said "voluntary family limitation" was the only way to tackle the growing human population's threat to conservation, William added: "Urbanization, infrastructure development, cultivation—all good things in themselves, but they will have a terrible impact unless we begin to plan and to take measures now."

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Prince William's comments about the dangers of the growing population might sound bizarre to some given the fact his wife Kate Middleton is pregnant with the couple's third child.

However, the Duke was quick to point out that overpopulation isn't the only threat to humanity and animals.

He also warned that overgrazing and poor water supplies could have a 'catastrophic effect" on species, as well as the illegal wildlife trade.

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"It is barbaric, it destroys livelihoods and communities, and it supports organized crime," he said. "The world is a worse place for it, and we must stamp it out."

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