Latest news with #SirDavidAttenborough
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
David Dowsett
David Dowsett presents the Breakfast program on ABC Wide Bay. David describes himself as a "Nomadic Englishman". Now settled in Australia with his family, David has presented Breakfast, Drive and Sport shows in England, Denmark and Spain, interviewing an array of stars along the way; from Boy George to Sir David Attenborough! David has been a part of the ABC Wide Bay team since 2004, previously presenting the morning show, then switching to breakfast in 2016. "The Wide Bay Burnett is a beautiful part of the planet," David said. "My program looks to celebrate those wonders while at the same time highlighting the important issues to the area." When he's not on the air you may well find David on court swinging a tennis racquet. Before discovering microphones he played the satellite tennis circuit in Europe. When it became apparent that the guy on the other side of the net was hitting the ball inside the lines more than he was and that the umpire would not change his call (no matter how much he politely enquired!), David became LTA-qualified and coached tennis instead. As well as tennis, David enjoys horse riding and cycling.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Celebrating 25 years of London's 'extra lungs'
Once the largest man-made wetland in any capital city of the world and described by Sir David Attenborough as an "extra lung for Londoners", the London Wetland Centre is now celebrating 25 years. With its shallow pools home to birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects, the area remains a radical, transformative, oasis in the suburbs of Barnes in south-west London. But it could have been very different. In the 1990s, the defunct Victorian reservoirs on the banks of the Thames were marked for development. Through the lobbying of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust as well as its founder Sir Peter Scott, over five years the site was redesigned into a nature reserve. The site was owned by Thames Water and through a combination of Lottery money, donations and a partnership with Berkeley Homes it was bought and turned into this reserve and 280 homes. It was opened by Sir David who called it "sensational". Just two years later, Natural England designated it a Site of Special Scientific Interest. On its tenth anniversary, Sir David - who was back to launch the 10-year celebrations - said: "The reserve is the ideal model for how humankind and the natural world may live side by side in the 21st century." And BBC's Springwatch presenter Chris Packham described the centre as "one of the most important conservation projects of the past century". It makes you wonder if such a project could be delivered now in an area where land is so valuable and housing is in such short supply. Everywhere you walk on the site there are groups of school children being shown round - education was a key part of why it was created. You can see why. A cacophony of bird song can be heard; reed buntings, blackcaps, sedge and reed warblers are all calling to each other. Noticeably, there are lots of insects including damsel and dragon flies. Its location on the Thames is helpful to migrating birds who use it to guide themselves. And all of this is probably just a couple of miles from busy Barnes. Reserve manager Adam Salmon has been here since the beginning. "Back then we hoped it would turn into something like this. "It used to be old concrete reservoirs - biodiversity wasn't that great, there were a few ducks, but by putting in so many different habitats, we were hoping to send the biodiversity through the roof and that's what has happened." The site's transformation has been a success, he noted. "Bird diversity has gone through the roof, we have amazing dragon fly assemblage here now with 19 breeding species. We have water voles, grass snakes, slow worms are flourishing and the wild flower meadows that came from nothing, that we had to seed, many of them are species rich," he said. She added: "Education is going to remain a core priority with this site being an amazing place for learning and enjoyment, and we have got so much potential to do so much more. "So I think forming those international networks, engaging with young people locally and further afield, we are going to continue being a really important site for learning in terms of how to create and manage wetlands." This rich diversity has proved popular with tourists. "We engage quite frequently with international groups as we are the blueprint," said general manager Alexia Hollinshead. "We have had groups from Korea, from China, from Singapore, from Israel to see how we run an urban wetland site and how they can take that learning back to their countries." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to London Wetlands Centre Britain's loudest bird making a comeback in London London Wetland Centre celebrates 10 years
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
London Wetlands Centre: 25 years of London's 'extra lungs'
Once the largest man-made wetland in any capital city of the world and described by Sir David Attenborough as an "extra lung for Londoners", the London Wetland Centre is now celebrating 25 its shallow pools home to birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects, the area remains a radical, transformative, oasis in the suburbs of Barnes in south-west London. But it could have been very different. In the 1990s, the defunct Victorian reservoirs on the banks of the Thames were marked for the lobbying of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust as well as its founder Sir Peter Scott, over five years the site was redesigned into a nature site was owned by Thames Water and through a combination of Lottery money, donations and a partnership with Berkeley Homes it was bought and turned into this reserve and 280 homes. It was opened by Sir David who called it "sensational".Just two years later, Natural England designated it a Site of Special Scientific its tenth anniversary, Sir David - who was back to launch the 10-year celebrations - said: "The reserve is the ideal model for how humankind and the natural world may live side by side in the 21st century."And BBC's Springwatch presenter Chris Packham described the centre as "one of the most important conservation projects of the past century". It makes you wonder if such a project could be delivered now in an area where land is so valuable and housing is in such short supply. Everywhere you walk on the site there are groups of school children being shown round - education was a key part of why it was created. You can see why. A cacophony of bird song can be heard; reed buntings, blackcaps, sedge and reed warblers are all calling to each other. Noticeably, there are lots of insects including damsel and dragon flies. Its location on the Thames is helpful to migrating birds who use it to guide themselves. And all of this is probably just a couple of miles from busy Barnes. Reserve manager Adam Salmon has been here since the beginning."Back then we hoped it would turn into something like this. "It used to be old concrete reservoirs - biodiversity wasn't that great, there were a few ducks, but by putting in so many different habitats, we were hoping to send the biodiversity through the roof and that's what has happened." The site's transformation has been a success, he noted."Bird diversity has gone through the roof, we have amazing dragon fly assemblage here now with 19 breeding species. We have water voles, grass snakes, slow worms are flourishing and the wild flower meadows that came from nothing, that we had to seed, many of them are species rich," he said. She added: "Education is going to remain a core priority with this site being an amazing place for learning and enjoyment, and we have got so much potential to do so much more. "So I think forming those international networks, engaging with young people locally and further afield, we are going to continue being a really important site for learning in terms of how to create and manage wetlands." This rich diversity has proved popular with tourists."We engage quite frequently with international groups as we are the blueprint," said general manager Alexia Hollinshead. "We have had groups from Korea, from China, from Singapore, from Israel to see how we run an urban wetland site and how they can take that learning back to their countries."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sir David Attenborough on health, life and work as he celebrates 99th birthday
It is said that when young naturalist David Attenborough joined the BBC as a trainee in 1952, he had only ever watched one television programme. Fast-forward 73 years and the writer, broadcaster and wildlife expert has more than 50 titles under his belt – firmly cementing himself as a national treasure and vital spokesperson for the future of our planet in the process. Ahead of his 99th birthday, which he celebrates today, Attenborough announced he was releasing a new cinema-length film called Ocean, which explores the importance of ocean health in keeping the planet stable and is now available to watch in cinemas nationwide. It will also be available on the National Geographic channel, Disney+ and Hulu from 8 June. Of his latest work, Attenborough said: "After a lifetime of filming the natural world, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but sea," adding that "we have drained the life from our ocean." But all is not lost, thanks to a discovery he and his team made that went "beyond our wildest dreams". Calling the ocean "our final frontier", the environmentalist then shared how approaching "the end of my life" and "living for nearly a hundred years" has helped him understand Earth, which he aims to impress on viewers with Ocean; the culmination of his life's work. Here, we reflect on Sir David Attenborough's impressive life and legacy as he celebrates his 99th birthday. In an interview with Good Housekeeping in 2020, ahead of the release of A Life On Our Planet, Attenborough said that one of the ways he had changed his own routine for the good of the planet was to alter the foods he consumes. He told the publication: "Well, I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way, but I don't think I've eaten red meat for months. I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But by and large I've become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be." While meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, too much meat – particularly of the red, fatty or processed variety – can be detrimental to your health, per the NHS. Red meat is high in saturated fats, which in turn can lead to a higher risk of bowel cancer, high blood pressure, and high levels of bad cholesterol, among other things. Then, of course, is the environmental impact it has (the main driver for Attenborough's lifestyle choice) – with agriculture contributing to the emissions of nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. Although the total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 12% between 1990 and 2021, they are still significant, accounting for 71% of total nitrous oxide emissions and 49% of all methane emissions in 2021. Although Attenborough said at the time of the interview that he still ate fish – a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamin D, which is linked to improved heart and brain health, as well as longevity – the fishing industry is particularly damaging for the environment, as he will outline in his new documentary. In a 2022 report by the UK government, it was stated that total emissions by the UK fishing fleet were estimated as 702 kt carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2020 (about 0.7% of UK domestic transport emissions, or very approximately 1.2 kg of emissions per kg of fish landed). For this reason, the UK has committed to significantly reducing its greenhouse gases by 2050 – which includes tighter restrictions on fisheries – in accordance with net zero targets. In 2017, at the age of 90, Attenborough admitted in an interview with The Telegraph that he was "coming to terms" with slight memory loss, disclosing how he had trouble recalling "popular names" and how forgetfulness can mean one "run[s] into problems." He said: "There were these searing yellow fields and I can't think of the damn name. I wanted to say something about it but I couldn't and it wasn't until we got quite close to Geneva that I thought, of course, oil seed rape." As part of the same interview with The Telegraph, the naturalist confessed that while he works from some pretty technologically advanced companies, he is not personally one for digital media. "I'm not a big fan of electronic communication," he told them. "When it comes to making television programmes, I like to think that I know what the latest gear is and what tomorrow's latest gear is, but maybe I'm deceiving myself." It goes without saying that a big part of Attenborough's lifestyle is spending time in nature – and travelling around the world. But even when he's not on an expedition or examining rare, exotic animals, he spends his time watching local wildlife. Speaking to the Butterfly Conservation in 2018, he stressed the importance of nature and wellbeing, stating: "I have been privileged to have witnessed some truly breath-taking wildlife spectacles in far-flung locations but some of my most memorable experiences have happened when I've been simply sitting and watching the wildlife that lives where I do. "A few precious moments spent watching a stunning red admiral or peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure." "Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side-by-side with us," he concluded. Reiterating how the natural world is a "source of both joy and solace," Attenborough shared in an interview with the Big Issue in 2020 how we are part of the ecosystem and "if we damage the natural world, we damage ourselves". "In times of crisis, the natural world is a source of both joy and solace. The natural world produces the comfort that can come from nothing else. And we are part of the natural world," he said. He has a point. According to mental health charity Mind, spending time in nature can seriously benefit our wellbeing and boost our mood. Not only can it help relieve stress, anger, anxiety and depression, it can improve our sense of self, confidence and reduce feelings of loneliness. He also noted in the same interview how future generations provide hope, commenting: "Kids these days are knowledgeable, aware of what's happening, and are concerned. They are vocal. I haven't known a generation of children that could be placed alongside these today." Previously, speaking at an Earth Optimism event, he has also shared: "I'm optimistic because of children. I see a lot of children, children write to me, and it is my impression that over the last 60 years, they have become aware, and it is their belief that the natural world is their inheritance." Read more about Sir David Attenborough: How David Attenborough's key life lesson inspired new film Ocean (Yahoo Entertainment UK, 4-min read) King stunned by David Attenborough's age as pair attend ocean film premiere (PA, 3-min read) David Attenborough shares his concerns as he nears 'the end of his life' (The Standard, 2-min read)
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
King says he ‘can't believe' David Attenborough's age as pair walk blue carpet
King Charles marvelled at Sir David Attenborough 's longevity during the premiere of a poignant environmental film highlighting the crucial role of oceans. The two attended the first screening of "Ocean with David Attenborough" at London's Southbank Centre on Tuesday, gracing a symbolic "blue carpet". Meeting with Sir David and his daughter Susan ahead of the premiere, Charles said he was 'so glad' the broadcaster was involved with the film and that it was 'always a pleasure' to see him. The King asked the veteran broadcaster about his 99th birthday, which Sir David confirmed was on Thursday, the day of the film's release. Charles remarked in response: 'I can't believe it.'
