Sir David: response to Blue Planet II plastic ‘astonishing’

A NEW plastics initiative has been launched as Sir David Attenborough says he is “astonished” by the response to Blue Planet II.

Plastics Watch is a new initiative being run as part of a BBC scheme looking at the changes happening across the UK and the wider world in tackling plastic pollution.

It follows the huge global impact of the natural history series, which featured the harmful affects that plastic can have on marine life.

Sir David said he has been “astonished” by the response to plastic pollution after Blue Planet II as he helped launch more BBC programming on the issue. The veteran broadcaster said politicians were taking notice but that more needs to be done. “We hoped that Blue Planet II would open people’s eyes to the damage that we are doing to our oceans and the creatures that live in them,” the 92-year-old said in a new, short online film.

“I’ve been absolutely astonished at the result that that programme has had. I never imagined there would be quite so many of you who would be inspired to want change.”

He praised families who had “changed their habits”, people who have been litter-picking on beaches, and the schools and communities which have “searched for ways to reduce their single-use plastic footprint”.

And the naturalist said: “What is more, the strength of your response has not gone unnoticed in the corridors of power, or in business boardrooms”, adding that “even as far away as China, change is happening”.