As Sir David Attenborough turns 99, we reflect on his impressive life and legacy
It is said that when young naturalist David Attenborough joined the BBC as a trainee in 1952, he had only ever watched one television programme. Fast-forward 73 years and the writer, broadcaster and wildlife expert has more than 50 titles under his belt – firmly cementing himself as a national treasure and vital spokesperson for the future of our planet in the process.
Ahead of his 99th birthday, which he celebrates today, Attenborough announced he was releasing a new cinema-length film called Ocean, which explores the importance of ocean health in keeping the planet stable and is now available to watch in cinemas nationwide. It will also be available on the National Geographic channel, Disney+ and Hulu from 8 June.
Of his latest work, Attenborough said: “After a lifetime of filming the natural world, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but sea,” adding that “we have drained the life from our ocean.” But all is not lost, thanks to a discovery he and his team made that went “beyond our wildest dreams”.
Calling the ocean “our final frontier”, the environmentalist then shared how approaching “the end of my life” and “living for nearly a hundred years” has helped him understand Earth, which he aims to impress on viewers with Ocean; the culmination of his life’s work.
Here, we reflect on Sir David Attenborough’s impressive life and legacy as he celebrates his 99th birthday.
Sir David Attenborough on health, life, work and wellbeing
“I have certainly changed my diet”
In an interview with Good Housekeeping in 2020, ahead of the release of A Life On Our Planet, Attenborough said that one of the ways he had changed his own routine for the good of the planet was to alter the foods he consumes.
He told the publication: “Well, I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way, but I don’t think I’ve eaten red meat for months. I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But by and large I’ve become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be.”
While meat is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, too much meat – particularly of the red, fatty or processed variety – can be detrimental to your health, per the NHS. Red meat is high in saturated fats, which in turn can lead to a higher risk of bowel cancer, high blood pressure, and high levels of bad cholesterol, among other things.
Then, of course, is the environmental impact it has (the main driver for Attenborough’s lifestyle choice) – with agriculture contributing to the emissions of nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. Although the total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 12% between 1990 and 2021, they are still significant, accounting for 71% of total nitrous oxide emissions and 49% of all methane emissions in 2021.
Although Attenborough said at the time of the interview that he still ate fish – a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamin D, which is linked to improved heart and brain health, as well as longevity – the fishing industry is particularly damaging for the environment, as he will outline in his new documentary.
In a 2022 report by the UK government, it was stated that total emissions by the UK fishing fleet were estimated as 702 kt carbon dioxide-equivalent in 2020 (about 0.7% of UK domestic transport emissions, or very approximately 1.2 kg of emissions per kg of fish landed). For this reason, the UK has committed to significantly reducing its greenhouse gases by 2050 – which includes tighter restrictions on fisheries – in accordance with net zero targets.
‘I wanted to say something about it but I couldn’t’
In 2017, at the age of 90, Attenborough admitted in an interview with The Telegraph that he was “coming to terms” with slight memory loss, disclosing how he had trouble recalling “popular names” and how forgetfulness can mean one “run[s] into problems.”
He said: “There were these searing yellow fields and I can’t think of the damn name. I wanted to say something about it but I couldn’t and it wasn’t until we got quite close to Geneva that I thought, of course, oil seed rape.”
‘I’m not a big fan of electronic communication’
It goes without saying that a big part of Attenborough’s lifestyle is spending time in nature – and travelling around the world. But even when he’s not on an expedition or examining rare, exotic animals, he spends his time watching local wildlife.
Speaking to the Butterfly Conservation in 2018, he stressed the importance of nature and wellbeing, stating: “I have been privileged to have witnessed some truly breath-taking wildlife spectacles in far-flung locations but some of my most memorable experiences have happened when I’ve been simply sitting and watching the wildlife that lives where I do.
“A few precious moments spent watching a stunning red admiral or peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure.”
“Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side-by-side with us,” he concluded.
Reiterating how the natural world is a “source of both joy and solace,” Attenborough shared in an interview with the Big Issue in 2020 how we are part of the ecosystem and “if we damage the natural world, we damage ourselves”.
“In times of crisis, the natural world is a source of both joy and solace. The natural world produces the comfort that can come from nothing else. And we are part of the natural world,” he said.
He has a point. According to mental health charity Mind, spending time in nature can seriously benefit our wellbeing and boost our mood. Not only can it help relieve stress, anger, anxiety and depression, it can improve our sense of self, confidence and reduce feelings of loneliness.
‘Kids these days are vocal’
He also noted in the same interview how future generations provide hope, commenting: “Kids these days are knowledgeable, aware of what’s happening, and are concerned. They are vocal. I haven’t known a generation of children that could be placed alongside these today.”
Previously, speaking at an Earth Optimism event, he has also shared: “I’m optimistic because of children. I see a lot of children, children write to me, and it is my impression that over the last 60 years, they have become aware, and it is their belief that the natural world is their inheritance.”
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