Sir David Attenborough has received yet another environmental award, named as a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations
The lifetime achievement award has been given in recognition of the 95-year-old’s commitment to climate advocacy and his promotion of the natural world.
In his acceptance, Attenborough told delegates we need to act now to save our planet, before it’s too late.
He also spoke on the theme of hope, and how humans have made meaningful climate action in the past.
“Fifty years ago, whales were on the very edge of extinction worldwide. Then people got together and now there are more whales in the sea than any living human being has ever seen”
Sir david attenborough
Attenborough says the world knows what the problems are, we know how to fix them – now all we need is unified action.
Champions of the Earth
The UN’s Environmental Programme established the Champions of the Earth award in 2005 to recognise outstanding climate leaders.
"Right now we are facing a manmade disaster of global scale. We are causing a rate of biodiversity loss only matched in the fossil record during a mass extinction event." Sir David Attenborough, @UN #EarthChamps Lifetime Achievement#GenerationRestorationhttps://t.co/i8XxJ4SJjD pic.twitter.com/qRIHGX7m3g
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) April 21, 2022
It chose to recognise Sir David because of his ongoing commitment to broadcasting the natural world.
“If we stand a chance of averting climate and biodiversity breakdowns and cleaning up polluted ecosystems, it’s because millions of us fell in love with the planet that he showed us on television”
Inger Andersen, U.N. environment programme Executive Director
Last year, Ugandan Veterinarian Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka was named Champion of the Earth for her pioneering work in conservation.
The award comes as Apple TV Plus releases its latest trailer for its nature docuseries “Prehistoric Planet”.
The program, narrated by Sir David, will transport viewers across 66 million years to discover our world from a new perspective.
Prehistoric Planet is streaming from May 23.
