David Attenborough Says He Hasn't Got Many Years Left As He Urges Others To Fight Climate Change

Sir David Attenborough has said at 92 he doesn't have long left to live, but wants to make the most of it.

The broadcaster opened up about the precarious position the planet finds itself in and says his generation has not done enough.

Speaking to the Guardian about what he thinks the planet will look like after he's gone, the 92-year-old said: "I can't bear it.

"I'm just coming up to 93, and so I don't have many more years around here. I find it difficult to think beyond that as the signs aren't good.

"Young people may lack experience but they also have clear sight. They can see perhaps more clearly than the rest of us who have been around for some time."

He added: "My generation is no great example for understanding. If we are not making progress with young people, we are done.

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"We have no option, if we want to survive. We have a moral obligation on our shoulders and it would be to our deep eternal shame if we fail to acknowledge that."

The outspoken wildlife expert currently has two new series on BBC and Netflix - Climate Change - The Facts and Our Planet - and is urging people to act now in order to protect the future of the world.

Speaking at the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) State of the Planet Address in London, Attenborough said: "Our Planet will take viewers on a spectacular journey of discovery, showcasing the beauty and fragility of our natural world.

"Today we have become the greatest threat to the health of our home but there's still time for us to address the challenges we've created, if we act now. We need the world to pay attention.

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"Our Planet brings together some of the world's best filmmakers and conservationists and I'm delighted to help bring this important story to millions of people worldwide."

WWF's Colin Butfield, who is one of the project's executive producers, added: "I've never seen a natural history series that combines real stuff you've never seen before but that always has a really, really great narrative in each episode.

"It's not at all preachy, it's spectacular mass public entertainment, but by the end you are absolutely aware of the challenge of climate change and overfishing and deforestation.

"I can't think of a better platform that will reach that many people at the same time."

Topics: Science, UK News, TV and Film, Interesting, Netflix

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom