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FRIDAY 22 JANUARY, 2010 |

The Solar Royals

by Energy Matters

Attention has certainly been drawn to the Royal Family again in Australia with the recent visit of Prince William.

While the media focus on the Prince's visit has been on photo opportunities and the ongoing republican debate murmuring in the background, there's more to William than barbecues, chatting with music stars and toting machine guns. It seems Prince William has a green streak too and recognises the crossroads that society has found itself at.

In a recent speech to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tusk Trust, an organisation that protects endangered species in Africa, he commented, "The imperative of balancing conservation of wildlife and natural resources with the ever-growing needs of the human race is at the heart of the great challenge facing mankind today."

While the Royal Family has often endured criticism for what is viewed as a privileged and consumptive lifestyle, some members haven't just been talking about the environment, but also making attempts to "go green" for years - decades in fact.

Prince Charles' passion for the environment is well known and last year he began investigating the possibility of installing solar panels on his London residence, Clarence House. Prior to that his household had become carbon-neutral through energy efficiency and carbon offsetting measures. Prince Charles also recently converted two of his vehicles to run on biodiesel and another on bio-ethanol fuel.

But Charles isn't the first "Solar Prince" - his father can lay claim to that title. Prince Philip installed a solar hot water system over 30 years ago at Sandringham.

Other efforts by the Royal Family include initiatives by the Queen herself. An organic vegetable garden was added to the grounds at Buckingham Palace last year - the first time such a garden has been in place since the push for "victory gardens" during World War 2; a concept that helped the nation feed itself through some very dark years.

Source : Times Online - The Prince of Wales