Sir David Attenborough speaks to Prince William about dangers of destroying world's oceans

ITV News

12 hours ago

Prince William will urge world leaders to 'think big' on their actions to protect our seas as legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough warned about the consequences of destroying the 'great treasure' that is the world's oceans.
They were speaking ahead of World Oceans Day on Sunday, when the Prince will tell a UN conference in the south of France that we should act with urgency, and Sir David releases his new film about the harm we are doing to our oceans.
Ahead of World Oceans Day, a video of a conversation between the heir to the throne and Sir David has been released in which the renowned conservationist speaks about his horror that so much damage is being done to the marine environment because it is largely 'hidden' from view.
Despite filming many hundreds of hours of wildlife programmes during his lifetime, the broadcaster, who recently turned 99, spoke about how he was shocked by some of the images in his new film, Ocean with David Attenborough.
'The things I was appalled by, when I first saw the shots that we have taken for this film, are what we have done to the deep ocean floor," he said.
'It's just unspeakably awful, and if there were anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms."
Prince William will make a key address to world leaders on Sunday, on the day designated by the UN each year as World Oceans Day.
The royal will speak at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco in southern France in his capacity as founder of the Earthshot Prize – William's ten-year scheme to find solutions to some of the biggest environmental threats to our planet.
The Prince is expected to say: 'Halfway through this decisive decade, I call on all of you to think big in your actions. Let us act together with urgency and optimism while we still have the chance.'
Prince William has launched his own environmental docuseries called 'Guardians' in collaboration with United for Wildlife, which focuses on rangers across the world who risk their lives to protect wildlife and habitats.
The most recent 'Guardians' episode, released on Friday, features those who protect a marine area called 'the Aquarium of the World' in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Talking with Sir David Attenborough about his own project, William asks: 'From what you have obviously seen over the years, what state would you say the oceans are in right now?'
'The awful thing is," Attenborough replies, 'That it's hidden from you and from me and from most people.'
He hopes his latest film will 'expose something new' and encourage more people to speak up and act to protect the oceans.
'If this film does anything - if it just shifts public awareness - it will be very, very important," he said.
Attenborough added: 'I can only hope that people who see it will recognise that something must be done before we destroy this great treasure.'
The Prince of Wales said it was fascinating to learn that in the depths of the oceans there are 'things that no human has ever seen' before.
'Beyond question," Sir David agreed.
It is 'wonderful', he told the Prince, that new technology means 'we are in a situation when, in fact, it is possible to go into places where nothing like you has ever been there before".
Speaking ahead of Prince William's keynote speech in Monaco on Sunday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'There should be no doubt that this speech is The Prince of Wales calling for action to save our oceans now. The world is watching. This is him using his platform to call for more to be done sooner rather than later.'
Despite being just one year away from his 100th birthday, Sir David Attenborough remains as engaged and enthusiastic about his work as ever.
'It's a huge privilege and excitement," he says.