DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Actor Harrison Ford has offered an emphatic plea for protecting the world's oceans while calling out President Donald Trump and others who "deny or denigrate science."

The 76-year-old actor best known for his roles in "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" stressed the importance of acknowledging the effects of climate change on the world. Ford avoided saying Trump's name during his speech on Tuesday at the closing day of the World Government Summit in Dubai.

However, he clearly targeted the American president within the opening moments of his speech.

Ford said: "Around the world, elements of leadership - including in my own country - to preserve their state and the status quo, deny or denigrate science. They are on the wrong side of history."