“I’ve witnessed the natural world at its most fascinating and vibrant, but I’ve also witnessed startling changes; changes that are today threatening our various civilisations.”
Global – Sir David Attenborough recently recorded a message to World Leaders at WWF’s Leaders for Nature and People event, at the UN Climate Action Summit, part of the 74th UN General Assembly.
Attenborough is an English broadcaster and natural historian. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, the nine natural history documentary series forming the Life collection that together constitutes a comprehensive survey of animal and plant life on Earth. He is a former senior manager at the BBC, having served as controller of BBC Two and director of programming for BBC Television in the 1960s and 1970s. He is the only person to have won BAFTAs for programmes in each of black and white, colour, HD, 3D and 4K.
In 2018 and 2019 he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator.
Attenborough is widely considered a national treasure in the UK, although he himself does not like the term. In 2002 he was named among the 100 Greatest Britons following a UK-wide poll for the BBC.
Recently the passionate natural historian sent a message to world leaders at the UN Climate Action Summit. It’s an important message that we should all hear and share.
Watch the video below:
You can also read the full transcript from Sir David Attenborough message below:
I’m very sorry I can’t be with you all today at such an important gathering.
Related Stories
One Last Bowl? We're Not Ready to Say Goodbye to ProNutro!
South Africa, Your Heritage Day Messages Gave Us All the Feels!Some have speculated that I’ve seen more of the natural world than anyone else. Well, it’s certainly true that I have been extremely fortunate to spend my life travelling the world to film and share the wonders of nature. I’ve witnessed the natural world at its most fascinating and vibrant, but I’ve also witnessed startling changes; changes that are today threatening our various civilisations.
It’s worth reflecting that our civilisations arose in large part because of the last twelve thousand-year period of climatic stability; known as the Holocene which allowed humans to settle and farm. This ability ultimately gave rise to international trade in ideas, as well as goods. Making us the globally connected species we are today and in need of the International governance that you and your institutions provide.
However, we’ve taken that stability for granted.
Our economies and political systems are unconsciously predicated on the belief that nature will continue to be a benign and regular provider of the conditions we need to thrive; regular seasons, dependable freshwater, endless fish, pollinators, minerals, soil.
It’s now apparent that the Holocene has ended and our stable, reliable planet no longer exists.
The impacts of this destabilisation will profoundly impact every country on Earth.
When you think about it, there is perhaps no more unsettling thought, the only conditions modern humans have ever known are changing and changing fast.
You are all in positions where you can make more of a difference than most.
If ever we needed a strong signal from world leaders from people like you that we’re going to solve this; it is now.
In 2020, we have a key moment in history. Some have called it a ‘super year’, a coming together of major global decisions on climate, nature, oceans, and development. It could not be more important and far-reaching what we do in the next few years will determine the next few thousand years.
Thank you for your leadership so far, and I wish you every success in inspiring other world leaders to join you in this vital task.
by 
