SDG News Spotlight of the Week: Sir David Attenborough

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.” — Sir David Attenborough

At 99 years old, Sir David Attenborough remains the world’s most revered voice for the natural world — and his message has never been more urgent.

A Legacy That Shaped Generations

Over seven decades, Attenborough has brought the wonders of our planet into homes across the globe. From Life on Earth (1979) to Planet Earth and Our Planet, his groundbreaking documentaries helped pioneer natural history storytelling, combining science with cinematographic awe.

The British broadcaster, biologist, and natural historian has written and narrated more than 100 wildlife films, earned BAFTAs across black-and-white, colour, HD, 3D, and 4K formats — a feat unmatched by any peer — and was knighted twice by Queen Elizabeth II.

A New Chapter for Our Oceans

His latest work, Ocean, released by National Geographic just a month before World Oceans Day, is a searing exposé of the fishing industry’s impact on marine life — and a rallying cry for urgent change.

“The ocean can bounce back to life,” he says. “If left alone it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.”

The film tackles bottom trawling head-on, challenges the myth of “protected” marine areas, and finally elevates the science on seabed carbon disturbance. As Attenborough plainly states:

“The ocean’s power of regeneration is remarkable – if we just offer it the chance.”

The Final Chapter is Ours to Write

Attenborough’s voice remains a moral compass for humanity’s relationship with nature — and his message is clear:

“It is now clear our actions are having a significant impact on the world’s oceans. [They] are under threat now as never before in human history.”
“If we save the sea, we save our world.”
“No water, no life. No blue, no green.”
“The final chapter is ours to write. We know what we need to do. What happens next is up to us.”

Why It Matters

Through Ocean and a life’s work of storytelling, Attenborough shows that hope is not passive — it’s a decision. As he reminds us:

“Many of us ask what can I, as one person, do, but history shows us that everything good and bad starts because somebody does something or does not do something.”

Sir David Attenborough is not just documenting the Earth. He’s calling us to protect it — before it’s too late.