Sir David Attenborough turned 97 yesterday, and people all over the world are paying tribute to this national treasure who has been championing the cause of nature and the environment for generations.
His name has been trending on social media, and while some people might have briefly worried that it might be bad news, today is a day to celebrate this wonderful man and everything he has accomplished.
Despite being well past retirement age, Sir David has not slowed down. He recently broadcast a new nature series called Wild Isles and has another show about a giant sea monster in the pipeline.
While Wild Isles saw him get up close and personal with nature again, many are also remembering the very real danger presented by climate change. In particular, people are recalling the urgent final plea Sir David made at the end of Frozen Planet II, where he spoke about the commitment made by 120 nations at COP26 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
He implored people to honor this commitment no matter how challenging it might be, saying that it is within our power to do so and that we must do it if we want a future for the planet.
The message brought viewers to tears, with many finding it heartbreaking and powerful. One viewer said that Sir David’s words were the most powerful they had ever heard from him, while others acknowledged the sense of finality in the message, both due to Sir David’s age and the dire situation our world is facing.
Sir David has himself said that the most heartbreaking moments of his career have been when he has witnessed the destruction of the natural world at the hands of human beings.
He has urged people to rediscover their fascination with nature, advising them to find a spot in nature and simply sit down and observe their surroundings for about 10 minutes. He bets that they will see something pretty interesting.
As we celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 97th birthday, it is clear that his message is more urgent than ever. The world is facing a climate crisis, and we must take action if we want to ensure a future for our planet.
Sir David’s legacy is one of education and inspiration, and we must honor his work by continuing to take action to protect the environment.
As he said in his final plea, “We can do it. We must do it. Then there will be a future for the planet.”
