‘This could be a year for positive change – for ourselves and for our planet’

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH HAS MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR 2021

SIR David Attenborough has offered a new year message of hope.

The veteran broadcaster and naturalist, now 94, believes the coming 12 months could bring “positive change” after a year to forget.

In a speech broadcast on New Year’s Day, he stressed the need to take action against climate change “has never been more urgent”.

“I am speaking to you from my home, because like many of you I have spent much of the last year indoors, away from friends, family and access to the natural world,” said Sir David, who grew up on the campus of what is now the University of Leicester, where his father was principal.

He said: “It has been a challenging few months for many of us, but the reaction to these extraordinary times has proved that when we work together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.

“Today we are experiencing environmental change as never before, and the need to take action has never been more urgent.”

Looking ahead to world leaders gathering in Glasgow for the

United Nations Climate Change Conference, he described the coming months as a “crucial moment in our history”.

He said: “This could be a year for positive change, for ourselves, for our planet and for the wonderful creatures with which we share it. A year the world could remember proudly and say ‘we made a difference’.”

“As we make our new year’s resolutions, let’s think about what each of us can do. What positive changes can we make in our own lives?

“Here’s to a brighter year ahead. Let’s make 2021 a happy new year for all the inhabitants of our perfect planet.”

The message came ahead of the launch of Sir David’s new series A Perfect Planet, which began last night on BBC One.

The show was four years in the making and filmed in 31 countries on six continents.

Let’s make 2021 a happy new year for all the inhabitants of our perfect planet

Sir David Attenborough