Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SIR DAVID..PEOPLE’S CLIMATE CHAMPION
Naturalist will demand action at UN summit
SIR DAVID Attenborough is today named the People’s Advocate for November’s crunch UN climate change summit, hosted by Britain.
The broadcaster will “put the compelling case to global leaders, key decision makers and the public for why climate action matters”, the Cabinet Office said.
Recruiting the 95-year-old, who has become a key global voice on climate change, is a coup for the Government as preparations for November’s COP26 summit in Glasgow gather pace.
Sir David said he was “greatly honoured” to be taking part.
He added: “There could not be a more important moment that we should have international agreement.
“The epidemic has shown how crucial it is to find agreement among nations if we are to solve worldwide problems.
“But the problems that await us within the next five to 10 years are even greater. It is crucial these meetings in Glasgow have success, and that at last the nations will come together to solve the crippling problems the world now faces.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There is no better person to build momentum for further change as we approach the COP26 climate summit”.
Sir David, who will also address world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, at next month’s G7 Summit in Cornwall has previously stressed the importance of COP26.
Addressing the UN Security Council in February, he said it could be “our last opportunity to make the necessary stepchange” towards protecting the planet.
COP26 President-designate Alok Sharma said “the stakes could not be higher” at this year’s summit and the next decade was “make or break” in the fight to limit climate change damage. “That is why I am delighted to be working with Sir David, a hero for our country and our planet, to
inspire action,” he said