Sir David Attenborough makes a powerful plea as he nears ‘the end of his life'

7NEWS

01-05-2025

Nature documentary maker Sir David Attenborough has made a powerful plea for change as he nears his 99th birthday.
The icon has spent more than 70 years dedicated to educating the world on nature, biology and global warming.
His statement comes as part of his new documentary, Ocean, being released on his birthday on May 8.
The feature-length film covers human damage to ocean ecosystems through practices such as destructive fishing.
'When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity,' he said.
'Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.'
The film includes vision from 1957 when Attenborough first scuba-dived on the Great Barrier Reef.
He also tells viewers about necessary initiatives and solutions, such as creating protected marine reserves in areas where fishing is banned to allow ocean ecosystems to recuperate.
'Today, it is in such poor health I would find it hard not to lose hope were it not for the most remarkable discovery of all,' he said.
'The ocean can recover faster than we had ever imagined. If we save the sea, we save our world.'
Although he understands he won't be around to see the change, he has constantly said it is never too late.
At the end of his Frozen Planet II documentary released in 2022, he made a similar urgent plea.
'Recently, at COP26, 120 nations came together in an effort to limit global warming to 1.5C,' Attenborough said.
'While a 1.5C rise will still bring significant changes with it, to stand any chance of saving what remains of our frozen planet and saving ourselves from the devastating consequences of its loss, we must stick to this commitment and honour it no matter how challenging it might be.
'We can do it, it's within our power to do it. We can do it. We must do it. Then there will be a future for the planet.'
Attenborough noted 'the world would be in a far, far worse situation now' if there was no natural history broadcasting.
'People have found it a source of fascination, beauty, and interest, which has become key to looking after the world,' he said.
'My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last 100 years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man.'
The documentary, Ocean, shares some of those incredible discoveries.
It will initially release in cinemas on May 8, before being available on Disney+, National Geographic and Hulu later this year.
Attenborough, who rarely makes public appearances these days, is also expected to attend a London premiere next week for the documentary.