Amanpour (CNN Podcasts)

Episode: Talking Climate with Prince William

Original Air Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Bianna Golodryga (sitting in for Christiane Amanpour)

Brief Overview

This episode of Amanpour centers on the existential challenge of climate change—the need for tangible hope, positive leadership, and community-led solutions. The spotlight is Prince William, interviewed live from Rio de Janeiro ahead of COP30 and the 5th Earthshot Prize. The Prince discusses the progress and purpose of the Earthshot Prize, the importance of community, storytelling, and optimism in climate activism, and personal reflections on family and change. The episode also features updates on political results in the US, a discussion on modern masculinity with Professor Scott Galloway, and an innovative marine research project in Greece.

Prince William on Climate, Community & The Earthshot Prize

[00:55–12:45] Main Interview with Prince William

Earthshot Prize: Inspiration, Progress & Vision

• Background: Earthshot Prize, now in its 5th year, awards $1.3 million each to five projects offering real-world environmental solutions. Prince William is in Brazil to host the prize ahead of COP30.
• Progress at Halfway:
  • “I can't quite believe we are at the halfway mark of the ten year plan… I'm so pleased and impressed by what the Earthshot's achieved, but most of all by the finalists, the winners and all the Earthshot community.” — Prince William [02:28]
  • Emphasizes the “transformational impact” of finalists, highlighting scaling solutions, networking, and ambitious goals.
  • Key Principle: “Urgency and optimism equal action.” — Prince William [02:28]
  • The community nurtured by Earthshot counters widespread pessimism, fostering genuine hope and action.
• Community Building:
  • Earthshot acts as “the glue” uniting fragmented actors in climate action.
  • “[Earthshot is] that family to allow them to go on and be the best they can be.” — Prince William [04:20]

Personal Motivations

• Prince William notes both his mother (Princess Diana’s humanitarianism) and father (King Charles’ climate advocacy) as inspirations for his own activism:
  • “I'm very lucky to be in this position and use my platform for good…I’m constantly analyzing where best can I use my platform for the greatest impact.” [05:44]
  • Emphasizes the power of positivity rather than negativity for motivating change.

Storytelling, Children, and Positive Reinforcement

• Critiques political and industrial leaders for weaponizing and demonizing climate action:
  • “The next generation [must] believe there is change coming and there is hope that things can change and get better.” — Prince William [06:53]
  • Frames telling climate stories as a call for action, not mere philanthropy—solutions create jobs and make life better, not just “nice things to have.”

Climate Anxiety & Youth Voices

• Acknowledges the rise in “climate anxiety,” especially among young people:
  • “Climate anxiety is a real thing. I hear about it wherever I go now…Their message was very strong: please let our voices be heard more.” — Prince William [08:31]
  • Youth globally wish to be truly involved—not as a “box ticked”—in environmental solutions.
  • Views hope and tangible solutions as crucial to combating this anxiety.

Change in the Monarchy and Personal Approach

• Prince William on change:
  • “It's safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for the good. I embrace that and I enjoy that change. I don't fear it.” — Recapped from Eugene Levy conversation [09:42]
  • Expresses the desire for his son to “be proud … of the change” their family brings and the leadership legacy it leaves. [11:04]
  • “You have to provide a leadership and a vision that there’s good things to come and that it’s not all negative.” [11:04]

Why Brazil for Earthshot?

• “Brazil...the environmental leadership that Brazil have produced is incredible…You couldn't find a better place in Latin America to come to than Brazil for Earthshot.” [11:54]
• Highlights local environmental innovation, indigenous voices, and Brazil’s global leadership as their reasons for choosing Rio and Belem.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the urgency of optimism:
  “Urgency and optimism equal action. And there’s an awful lot of pessimism going around.” — Prince William [02:28]

• On nurturing hope among the young:
  “A world without hope and a world without positivity is a pretty depressing place.” — Prince William [08:31]

• On youth involvement:
  “We don’t want to be a box ticked. We want to be actually heard and seen and listened to.” — Youth to Prince William [08:31]

• On legacy and leadership:
  “I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do.” — Prince William [09:42]

• Choosing Brazil:
  “The environmental leadership that Brazil have produced is incredible.” — Prince William [11:54]

[13:05–33:40] Other Major Segments: US and Global Politics

US Elections — Historic and Generational Shifts

• Highlight: Zoran Mamdani’s win as NYC’s first Muslim and youngest mayor in a century.
• Key Trends: Democratic wins in New Jersey and Virginia, focus on affordability, and a generational demand for younger, more dynamic leaders.
• Analysis:
  • “If a centrist is going to win…they’re going to have to run a good race because…there is an audience for [progressive] message.” — Ron Brownstein [22:39]
  • “Hope and affordability over concerns about crime definitely carried the day.” — Brian Lehrer [24:21]

[37:17–52:09] Masculinity in Crisis with Scott Galloway

Modern Masculinity — Problems, Solutions, and Personal Stories

• Key Arguments:
  • Young men are struggling with mental health, economic opportunity, and relationships.
  • “The data is pretty stark. If you go into a morgue and there’s five people who’ve died by suicide. Four are men.” — Scott Galloway [37:39]
• Societal Expectations:
  • “Men need to be economically viable…establish prosperity, so that their default is to move to protection.” [39:12]
  • Celebrates both masculinity and femininity, insists on ending the “scorecard” approach within families and relationships.
• Advice to Young Men:
  • The key to economic and emotional fulfillment lies in discipline, kindness, and building supportive relationships.
• Personal Reflection:
  • Shares honest perspective about his relationship with his father and mother, ending with heartfelt advice: “Take care of your mom. That’s it. That’s the whole shooting match.” [49:59]

[52:18–53:15] Science and Hope — Mussels and Microplastics in Greece

• Greek scientists use mussels to monitor microplastic pollution, representing innovative, nature-based approaches to the environmental crisis.

Timestamps & Key Segments

• [00:55–12:45] Prince William on Earthshot, hope, youth, personal legacy, Brazil.
• [13:05–36:00] US election results, generational politics, interviews with Ron Brownstein and Brian Lehrer.
• [37:17–52:09] Scott Galloway on the crisis of masculinity, generational economics, and personal legacies.
• [52:18–53:15] Science update: marine research using mussels to track microplastic pollution.

Episode Tone and Style

The discussions blend measured optimism with pragmatic urgency, blending moving personal testimony (Prince William, Scott Galloway) and sober policy analysis (Ron Brownstein, Brian Lehrer). Throughout, the tone remains solution-oriented and hopeful, encouraging viewers to look for—and become—sources of positive change.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a vital, timely exploration of two of the most pressing issues of our age: the fight to repair our planet, and the search for renewed hope—whether in climate action, political leadership, or personal identity. With Prince William’s call for optimism and concrete solutions, and Scott Galloway’s candid look at the crisis facing young men, listeners are left both informed and inspired: hope is possible, action matters, and the next generation deserves a future we’re proud to leave them.