Sir David Attenborough at 91: I'm more encouraged than ever about the future
Veteran broadcaster and naturalist says Paris climate change deal was heartening even though Donald Trump has not supported it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir David Attenborough has said he feels optimistic about the future of the environment because of a shift in attitudes towards protecting the natural world.
The 91-year-old veteran broadcaster, whose career has spanned seven decades, said there were “signs of hope” for planet Earth as more countries were improving conservation efforts.
Speaking at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Sir David said: “I spend a lot of time wringing my hands and saying how dreadful it is that this forest has been obliterated and that sea has been polluted and whatever. But there are signs of hope.
“There has been a worldwide shift, I think, among people in general about the concern there should be for the natural world. I am encouraged more than I have been for some time.”
The naturalist said he was encouraged by the 2016 Paris climate agreement, which united the world’s nations in tackling climate change.
He said the agreement was a “big advance” despite President Donald Trump announcing he would withdraw the US from the deal earlier this year.
“I would like to think the reason that political figures can adopt that sort of policy, which they know will be at a cost to their national economies, is that they are beginning to realise that people worldwide wish for that to happen because they wish to protect their natural world.
“I have the sense that worldwide, certainly in Europe, certainly in China – which we never thought before was concerned – and even perhaps if I may say so there are people in America – pace Mr Trump – who don’t accept that human beings can do no wrong.”
The broadcaster will return to the BBC for the new documentary series Blue Planet II, a sequel to his phenomenally popular 2001 series.
“Natural history programming is marvellous to look at... But I would go so far as to say it is extremely important that people around the world see what is happening,” Sir David told the festival.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments