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‘Humans are so dominant they disrupt the forces of nature’: David Attenborough says we must act now to save our ‘perfect’ planet

94-year-old’s new series, A Perfect Planet, took four years to make and was filmed in 31 countries 

Louise Boyle
Senior Climate Correspondent
Monday 23 November 2020 16:22 GMT
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New David Attenborough series 'A Perfect Planet'

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Sir David Attenborough warns that humanity’s power is now so dominant that it threatens all of life on Earth, in an early look on Monday at his new series.

A Perfect Planet, a five-part documentary series featuring the 94-year-old broadcaster’s distinctive narration, took four years to make and was filmed in 31 countries across six continents.

It explores how volcanoes, sunlight, weather and oceans drive and enable life on earth before the last episode turns to the planet’s most powerful force: humanity.

“Annual weather patterns have been stable for thousands of years and it’s this reliability on which life depends,” Sir David says in the trailer.

“Together these forces have shaped our perfect planet but it’s a fragile system. Today there is a new force, one so powerful it threatens life on earth.

“Human activity is now so dominant that it’s disrupting the forces of nature and the vital habitats life needs to survive on earth. To preserve our planet we need to act now.”

He adds: “And if we do that, there will still be time to restore the ecological balance that once made this earth our perfect planet.”

The series, which will air next year around the world, take viewers from India to the Bahamas, from Hawaii’s volcanoes to the remote frozen tundra of Ellesmere Island within the Arctic Archipelago.

On the series, Sir David said: “This year perhaps more than ever, people are finding comfort and solace in the natural world. Whilst we may not be able to travel, we can take a few moments to enjoy our wonderful and diverse planet in this incredible footage.”

The series also features an original score by award-winning composer Ilan Eshkeri, who has previously collaborated with Annie Lennox, David Gilmour, Sinead O’Connor and KT Tunstall.

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