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National Geographic
a day ago
- Health
- National Geographic
How conservation icon David Attenborough holds onto hope
Sir David Attenborough's newest documentary film is 'Ocean with David Attenborough.' PHOTOGRAPH BY CONOR MCDONNELL © SILVERBACK FILMS AND OPEN PLANET STUDIOS Interview by Brian Resnick For seven decades, Sir David Attenborough has traversed the globe to document the kaleidoscopic diversity of Earth's ecosystems. At the age of 99, he's narrated so many television programs that his voice has become synonymous with the wonder of the natural world. But in his long career full of wild encounters, one memory still stands out. In 1957, when Attenborough was in his 30s, he traveled to a shallow warmwater cay on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where, for the first time in his life, he donned scuba gear to examine corals up close. 'It was a sort of sensory overload,' he says. 'The countless tiny fish swimming between coral branches; the differences between the different coral structures. It opened up for me a whole new appreciation of the intricacies of life in the ocean.' Today that same view is likely to look disastrously worse. Globally, corals have suffered tremendous loss as a result of human-caused ocean warming, a fact that's not lost on Attenborough. In the new National Geographic documentary special Ocean with David Attenborough, the pioneering filmmaker reflects on the enormity of loss seen in his lifetime. Sure, there are still sumptuous images of the abundance of ocean life in the film, but they are met in equal measure with depictions of mechanized death and destruction—carbon-sequestering seagrass meadows are violently mowed down by commercial fishing trawlers, great glistening masses of writhing fish are hauled aboard ships by the thousands. Attenborough doesn't mince words: 'Ships from wealthy nations are starving coastal communities of the food source they have relied on for millennia,' he narrates. 'This is modern colonialism at sea.' (Fish flee for their lives in rare, chilling video of bottom trawling.) The film's final message, however, is remarkably optimistic. Attenborough fiercely believes in the ocean's power to recover when the right environmental protections are set in place. He holds hope even for that mesmerizing cay in Australia. 'I'd like to think that the reef I first dived on is one of the lucky ones.' David Attenborough introduces Prince Charles and Princess Anne to his pet cockatoo in 1958 at the studio where Zoo Quest, the BBC show that launched his career as a wildlife presenter, was filmed. PHOTO: CENTRAL PRESS/GETTY IMAGES BRIAN RESNICK: The film seems starkly different from much of your past work in the way it contends with topics like animal death and destruction. Why? DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: Unlike chopping down a rainforest on land, which can be clearly seen, trawling the ocean floor is largely hidden from view. Most people have no idea it's happening or of the scale with which it occurs. We wanted to be clear that this film is not antifishing. Humans have always gathered food from the sea, and biologically there's no reason that that cannot continue to happen. Indeed, many fishing operations and fishing communities do fish sustainably. But there are some forms of fishing, and some locations where fishing occurs, that damage the ocean for all of us. By showing the distinction, we hope that viewers will appreciate the difference between fishing that can and should continue well into the future and fishing that is destroying the ocean and depriving fishing communities of their livelihoods. In your narration, the audience might detect anger in your voice. Is 'anger' the right word? I certainly feel the senseless loss of the natural world, and I hope that emotion comes across. What is your advice for people dealing with grief over climate change or loss of the natural world? We shouldn't lose hope. It can be tempting to give up when confronted with the scale of humanity's consumption and the speed with which we are changing the climate and losing the natural world. But nature is our greatest ally. Wherever we have given nature the space to recover, it's done so, and, as a result of its recovery, our own lives are improved. The solutions aren't all about sacrifices and aren't all decades away. The marine protected areas we show have all brought benefits in just a few years to the people who live by them, and at the same time, those reserves have drawn down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and allowed marine species—from turtles to sharks to tuna—to recover. This is a real win-win for nature, for people, and for the climate. We just need to plan for the future, rather than only chasing immediate gains. What keeps you working? Because people I like working with keep asking me to. I enjoy the process of filmmaking. But stepping back, I can also see that this sort of storytelling has never been more important. Many of our societies have never been more removed from nature, less in tune with its rhythms and changes. That has brought many benefits, of course, but it does also mean that we don't necessarily notice the changes to our world as acutely as we once would have done. Whilst scientific publications and debates are vital, most of us are far more likely to engage with a story or a documentary. Our species has always used storytelling to create a shared identity and give explanation and context to the world around us. We are naturally interested in the stories of other people and places, so the onus is on all of us, as well as broadcasters and publishers, to find the ways to tell stories of the natural world and our relationship with it. (6 of the best Sir David Attenborough series to watch.) In the film, you talk about entering a later stage in your life. As you reflect on your life, how would you like your work to be remembered? I hope the collection of work, from Life on Earth through to the films I'm making now, will be seen as the documentation of the natural world in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as we understood it at the time. Perhaps one day it might also be seen to have documented the beginning of a new relationship between humanity and nature, a time when we realized that for our own species to thrive, we require the natural world to also thrive. 'Ocean with David Attenborough' begins airing on National Geographic June 7 and streams globally the next day, World Oceans Day, on Disney+ and Hulu. The film is currently in cinemas in select countries outside the U.S. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. A version of this story appears in the July 2025 issue of National Geographic magazine.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ocean with David Attenborough OTT Release Date: When and where to watch documentary that could save the seas
Ocean with David Attenborough OTT Release Date: If you've ever stood at the edge of the ocean and felt something ancient staring back at you, something mysterious and grand, then this one's for you. More than just a documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough is a reckoning. A love letter. A warning. And yes, it's finally got a release date. Mark your calendars for June 7, 2025, when the film premieres on National Geographic at 9 PM ET/PT. And if you're the streaming kind, don't worry, the next day, June 8, it'll be available worldwide on Disney+ (JioHotstar in India) and Hulu, right in time for World Oceans Day. Attenborough's return to the deep At 98 years old, most of us would be happy just sipping tea on a porch. But not Sir David Attenborough. He's once again diving into the depths, this time to mourn, to warn, and to inspire. Ocean is personal. It's poetic. And it's packed with truth. It's the soul of our planet, bleeding silently beneath waves that stretch further than our imaginations. Attenborough's voice - calm, weathered, familiar - guides us through lush kelp forests, bioluminescent midnight zones, and chaotic, magnificent coral reefs. He shows us what remains... and what we've already lost. A recap with a gut punch The ocean gives us life. It controls our weather, feeds billions, and holds secrets older than land itself. And yet, we've bulldozed its floors with bottom trawlers, choked it with plastic, and watched it boil under climate change. This film shows the ugly parts in their full, heartbreaking detail. One scene in particular will stay with you, trawlers scraping across the seafloor like thieves in the night, stealing centuries of life in minutes. It's devastating. And it's real. But it's not just despair. There's hope here, too. Fragile reefs are bouncing back. Coastal communities are fighting to protect their waters. Young scientists are pushing the boundaries of ocean conservation. And behind it all, David's steady belief: It's not too late. Who made this Ocean epic? Ocean with David Attenborough comes from the powerhouse behind Planet Earth - Silverback Films. That means expect eye-melting visuals, ridiculous camera angles (how did they even shoot that jellyfish swarm?!), and sweeping orchestration that'll give you chills. Directors Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, and Colin Butfield, names familiar to any nature doc buff, are back in action. They're backed by Open Planet and distributed by National Geographic in partnership with Minderoo Pictures and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Tom's Guide
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
New on Disney Plus in June 2025 — all the new must-watch movies and shows
Summer is nearly here, and Disney Plus is heating up with a new lineup of great movies and shows to celebrate. There's plenty to look forward to that's new on Disney Plus this June, especially if you're a Marvel fan. Yes, the much-anticipated new Marvel series "Ironheart" — which tells the origin story of genius teen engineer Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne) — will finally premiere on the streaming service with its first three episodes in June. And nature lovers will surely be wowed by a new documentary from a legendary British biologist and broadcaster: "Ocean with David Attenborough" explores both the beauty of the sea and the ways in which humans are depleting its riches. You can then jet upwards from underwater habitats to outer space itself via another gripping doc, "Sally," which chronicles the pioneering career of astronaut-physicist Sally Ride, the first American woman to blast off into space. So without further ado, let's dive into everything coming to Disney Plus in June 2025. The new live-action Marvel series from executive producer Ryan Coogler is set after the events of 2022's "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," where Marvel fans first met Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne), a genius MIT engineer who returns to her hometown of Chicago with goals of making her own Iron Man-inspired suit of armor. Her technological ambitions, however, get Riri entangled with Parker Robbins, also known as "The Hood" (Anthony Ramos), a charming yet mysterious figure with magical powers. Soon, Riri discovers secrets that will pit new tech against old magic. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Along with Williams and Ramos, the cast of the six-part "Ironheart" miniseries includes Lyric Ross as Riri's friend Natalie Washington; Alden Ehrenreich as Joe McGillicuddy; Matthew Elam as Xavier Washington; Anji White as Riri's mom; Manny Montana as Cousin John; and "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Shea Couleé as Slug. Stream on Disney Plus starting June 24 Who better to lead you through the depths of the planet's undersea habitats than the world's leading natural historian, whose new wildlife documentary "Ocean with David Attenborough" will draw on a lifetime of knowledge to reveal how Earth's vast, interconnected waterways can be restored. Though the visually stunning 95-minute nature film beautifully depicts how we're currently in the most significant age of ocean discovery, it also doesn't shy away from the fact that human interference is one of the sea's biggest challenges. But things are not without hope, the doc assures: Along with exposing those critical problems, Attenborough and Co. also declare that there's plenty of opportunity for marine life recovery and offer up actionable solutions that can ensure the protection of our most vital resource. Stream on Disney Plus starting June 8 Sally Ride became a national hero in June 1983 when she flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission, becoming the first American woman and third woman ever to fly in space (after cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982). But though that groundbreaking journey put Ride into history books, it didn't come without personal complications for the astronaut-physicist and her loved ones, a deeply personal story that is uncovered in the 2025 documentary film "Sally". Directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Cristina Costantini, the doc reveals the secret romance and subsequent sacrifices between Ride and her life partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, whose relationship spanned 27 years until Sally's death in 2012 at age 61. The nearly two-hour film explores how Ride navigated sexism and homophobia within NASA and the public, while also revealing unknown and intimate details of the American icon's private life. - Pupstruction (S2, 6 episodes) - Phineas and Ferb (S2, 10 episodes) - Ocean with David Attenborough - SALLY - Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical - Premiere - Ironheart (3 episodes) - Underdogs - Vibe Check
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Why marine protected areas are essential for Scotland's traditional fishing industry
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The day before David Attenborough's film Ocean was released in cinemas worldwide, an extraordinary exchange took place in the Scottish parliament. MSPs Fergus Ewing and Jackson Carlaw agreed that the Scottish fishing fleet had been severely depleted by 'over-regulation'. Ewing also cited 'the influence of NGOs' (non-governmental organisations). In reality, the long decline of Scotland's traditional coastal fishing fleet stems not from environmental regulation, but from a lack of fish. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It can be traced back to policy decisions that have favoured industrial fishing methods over traditional, low-impact practices, allowing bottom trawlers and scallop dredgers to operate close to shore, leading to the degradation of vital spawning and nursery habitats. This shift resulted in the collapse of local fish stocks and the marginalisation of small-scale fishers. David Attenborough and King Charles at the recent premiere of the film 'Ocean with David Attenborough' (Picture: Alistair Grant) | PA 'Protected' on paper Neither Ewing nor Carlaw is currently a government minister. But the narrative that pits environmental protection against the economic survival of fishing communities could be behind the total absence of marine nature protection from John Swinney's Programme for Government. Scotland has, on paper, a network of marine protected areas, designated since 2014. The Scottish Government is required by law to design and implement protections for each area, which in many cases will mean restricting bottom trawling and dredging while allowing small-scale, lower impact fishing to continue. Yet these measures have been delayed again and again, leaving our marine 'protected' areas largely unprotected. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since winning the last Holyrood election in 2021, the current Scottish Government has repeatedly promised to get these crucial protections in place. Its first Programme for Government, in September that year, committed to getting the job done by March 2024 at the latest. Marine protected areas also featured in 2023 and 2024. Incredibly rich in marine life Then in 2025 – nothing. The sea doesn't even get a mention in the environment section of this year's flagship policy announcement. To be fair to the government, it has completed the statutory public consultation on protections for offshore marine protected areas – those between 12 and 200 nautical miles from the shore. But it hasn't even consulted yet on measures for inshore areas – those with 12 nautical miles of the coast. These waters are where most of Scotland's fishing fleet operates. They are incredibly rich in marine life, and they include the spawning and nursery habitats that are vital for fish stocks – and for fishing. Both sets of marine protected areas desperately need protection. To this day, destructive bottom-towed fishing methods including trawling are permitted in most of them, devastating fragile habitats like maerl beds and flame-shell reefs where many fish breed and grow to maturity. There is also evidence that disturbing the seabed releases stored carbon, exacerbating climate change. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More protection, more fish Attenborough's film makes it clear that saving the sea is vital to saving the planet. But getting the long-delayed fisheries management measures in place in our marine protected areas is not only a crucial step towards restoring our seas to health, it's essential for the future of Scotland's small-scale inshore fishing industry. More protection means more fish, means more local, sustainable jobs. The idea that protecting and restoring our seas and supporting the future of fishing are opposing interests holds no water. Instead of delays and silence from the Scottish Government, we need accountability and action.
Yomiuri Shimbun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Attenborough Film ‘Ocean' Attracts King Charles III
Pool via Reuters Britain's King Charles III, right, meets broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough as he attends the 'Ocean with David Attenborough' Film Premiere in London on May 6. LONDON (Reuters) — British naturalist David Attenborough said there is hope for the future of the planet's oceans despite the scale of their damage in his new film that premiered on the evening of May 6 with King Charles III in attendance. In his latest work 'Ocean,' Attenborough, one of the world's best-known nature broadcasters and filmmakers whose work spans seven decades, charts the challenges faced by the seas over his lifetime, from destructive industrial fishing practices to mass coral reef bleaching. 'After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea,' he said in a trailer for the movie. Its full release in cinemas on May 8 coincided with Attenborough's 99th birthday. 'When David Attenborough started there were two TV channels and everybody knew him as the voice of nature. Now there are hundreds of channels, social media, but yet he is still the voice for nature,' Enric Sala, an executive producer of the film and National Geographic Pristine Seas founder, said in an interview. The May 6 premiere in London, which was also attended by other guests including former U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and actress and model Cara Delevingne, followed a daytime screening for students and teachers that was also watched by Prince William, although he did not speak at the event. The heir to the throne, like his father King Charles, has championed protecting the planet, launching his Earthshot Prize in 2020 to help spur novel environmental solutions. Attenborough has also forged a strong relationship with the royal family and is a supporter of the Earthshot prize and filmed a documentary in 2018 with the late Queen Elizabeth, 'The Queen's Green Planet.' Sala said it was important to showcase Attenborough's film to younger viewers. 'We hope that the younger generations coming to the screening today are going to feel so inspired that they will want to be the David Attenborough of the future,' Sala said. Despite depicting the bleak current state of the health of the ocean, discoveries of restored seabeds during filming offer hope. 'The ocean can recover faster than we had ever imagined, it can bounce back to life,' Attenborough said in the film. 'If we save the sea we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet I'm sure nothing is more important.' The film's release comes ahead of the United Nations Ocean conference in June, where it is hoped more countries will ratify a 2023 agreement to protect ocean biodiversity, which currently lacks sufficient signatories to come into force.
