Editing David Attenborough (section)

===Environment===
[[File:David Attenborough.jpg|thumb|right|Attenborough in 2003 at the launch of [[ARKive]] – a global initiative with the mission of "promoting the conservation of the world's threatened species, through the power of wildlife imagery"]]
Attenborough's programmes have often included references to the [[human impact on the environment|impact of human society]] on the natural world. The last episode of ''The Living Planet'', for example, focuses almost entirely on humans' destruction of the environment and ways that it could be stopped or reversed. Despite this, he has been criticised for not giving enough prominence to environmental messages. In 2018 while promoting ''Dynasties'', he said that repeated messages on threats to wildlife in programming could be a "turn-off" to viewers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 2018 |title=David Attenborough: too much alarmism on environment a turn-off |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/04/attenborough-dynasties-ecological-campaign |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827083303/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/04/attenborough-dynasties-ecological-campaign |url-status=live}}</ref>

Some environmentalists feel that programmes like Attenborough's give a false picture of idyllic wilderness and do not do enough to acknowledge that such areas are increasingly encroached upon by humans.<ref>James Fair, "Small Things Bright and Beautiful", BBC Wildlife Magazine, November 2005, pp. 25–26.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/01/planet-earth-ii-david-attenborough-martin-hughes-games-bbc-springwatch|title= Planet Earth II 'a disaster for world's wildlife' says rival nature producer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029131211/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/01/planet-earth-ii-david-attenborough-martin-hughes-games-bbc-springwatch |archive-date=29 October 2020 |work=The Guardian|date= January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2018 |title=David Attenborough has betrayed the living world he loves {{!}} George Monbiot|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/07/david-attenborough-world-environment-bbc-films|access-date=27 August 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827084422/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/07/david-attenborough-world-environment-bbc-films|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Julia P. G. |title=Our Planet is billed as an Attenborough documentary with a difference but it shies away from uncomfortable truths |url=http://theconversation.com/our-planet-is-billed-as-an-attenborough-documentary-with-a-difference-but-it-shies-away-from-uncomfortable-truths-114889 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Conversation |date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902183104/https://theconversation.com/our-planet-is-billed-as-an-attenborough-documentary-with-a-difference-but-it-shies-away-from-uncomfortable-truths-114889 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the increased urgency of environmental messaging in films such as ''[[Extinction: The Facts]]'', which depicts the continuing [[sixth mass extinction]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir David Attenborough makes stark warning about species extinction |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54118769 |work=BBC News |date=12 September 2020 |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030072157/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-54118769 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Climate Change – The Facts]]'' and [[David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet|''A Life on Our Planet'']] from 2019 and 2020 received praise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Julia P. G. |title='Extinction: The Facts': Attenborough's new documentary is surprisingly radical |url=http://theconversation.com/extinction-the-facts-attenboroughs-new-documentary-is-surprisingly-radical-146127 |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Conversation |date=14 September 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827084459/https://theconversation.com/extinction-the-facts-attenboroughs-new-documentary-is-surprisingly-radical-146127 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2020 |title=David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet review – stark climate emergency warning |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/25/david-attenborough-a-life-on-our-planet-review-climate-emergency-documentary |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901172325/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/25/david-attenborough-a-life-on-our-planet-review-climate-emergency-documentary |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2019 |title=Attenborough to front climate-change film as BBC moves from teach to preach |url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/22/attenborough-to-front-climate-change-film-as-bbc-moves-from-teach-to-preach |access-date=27 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827084419/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/22/attenborough-to-front-climate-change-film-as-bbc-moves-from-teach-to-preach |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 2019 |title=David Attenborough climate change TV show a 'call to arms' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47988337 |access-date=27 August 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827083803/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47988337 |url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Seven Worlds, One Planet]]'', Attenborough  discusses the devastating impact that [[deforestation]] is having on the planet and the species.<ref>{{cite news |title='Harrowing' and 'heartbreaking': Sir David Attenborough's new documentary shocks viewers |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/117170122/harrowing-and-heartbreaking-sir-david-attenboroughs-new-documentary-shocks-viewers |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030072158/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/117170122/harrowing-and-heartbreaking-sir-david-attenboroughs-new-documentary-shocks-viewers |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005 and 2006, Attenborough backed a [[BirdLife International]] project to stop the killing of [[albatross]] by [[longline fishing]] boats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.savethealbatross.net/the_latest/the_latest_item.asp?newsid=24 |title=Personal plea by David Attenborough |publisher=savethealbatross.net |date=27 January 2006 |access-date=22 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229153331/http://www.savethealbatross.net/the_latest/the_latest_item.asp?newsid=24 |archive-date=29 December 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He gave support to [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]]'s campaign to have 220,000&nbsp;square kilometres of [[Borneo]]'s rainforest [[Heart of Borneo|designated a protected area]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwf.org.uk/core/about/ta_0000001801.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909100837/https://www.wwf.org.uk/core/about/ta_0000001801.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 September 2006 |title=Sir David Attenborough: Heart of Borneo is a global heritage |publisher=WWF-UK press release}}</ref> He serves as a vice-president of [[The Conservation Volunteers]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governance {{!}} TCV|url=https://www.tcv.org.uk/about/governance/|url-status=live|access-date=5 September 2021|website=The Conservation Volunteers|date=20 March 2012 |archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629031652/https://www.tcv.org.uk/about/governance/}}</ref> vice-president of [[Fauna and Flora International]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=People {{!}} Fauna & Flora International|url=https://www.fauna-flora.org/people|url-status=live|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Fauna & Flora International|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007074644/http://www.fauna-flora.org/about/presidents/}}</ref> president of [[Butterfly Conservation]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our President – Sir David Attenborough |url=https://butterfly-conservation.org/about-us/our-president-sir-david-attenborough |access-date=5 September 2021 |website=butterfly-conservation.org |archive-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306124102/https://butterfly-conservation.org/about-us/our-president-sir-david-attenborough |url-status=live}}</ref> and president emeritus of [[Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=News {{!}} Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust|url=https://www.lrwt.org.uk/news/tag/david-attenborough|access-date=5 September 2021|website=www.lrwt.org.uk|date=25 October 2019 |archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119173754/https://www.lrwt.org.uk/news/tag/david-attenborough|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, Attenborough launched an appeal on behalf of the [[World Land Trust]] to create a [[rainforest]] reserve in [[Ecuador]] in memory of Christopher Parsons, the producer of ''Life on Earth'' and a personal friend, who had died the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rainforest Saved in Memory of Christopher Parsons – World Land Trust |author=Farrows |work=World Land Trust |date=25 May 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021 |url=https://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2003/09/rainforest-saved-in-memory-of-christopher-parsons/ |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225102353/https://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2003/09/rainforest-saved-in-memory-of-christopher-parsons/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, he helped to launch [[ARKive]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/conservation/story/0,,969572,00.html |title=Arkive sets sail on the web |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 May 2003 |location=London |first=Ashley |last=Davies |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905203611/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2003/may/20/conservationandendangeredspecies.uknews |url-status=live}}</ref> a global project instigated by Parsons to gather together natural history media into a digital library. ARKive is an initiative of [[Wildscreen]], of which Attenborough is a patron.<ref name="AR-2010">{{cite book |title=WildScreen Annual Review 2010 |url=http://www.wildscreen.org.uk/downloads/AnnualReview2010.pdf |access-date=11 July 2011 |publisher=[[Wildscreen]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715110342/http://www.wildscreen.org.uk/downloads/AnnualReview2010.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He later became patron of the World Land Trust. In 2020, he backed a Fauna and Flora International campaign calling for a global moratorium on [[deep sea mining]] for its impact on marine life.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 March 2020|title=David Attenborough calls for ban on 'devastating' deep sea mining|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/12/david-attenborough-calls-for-ban-on-devastating-deep-sea-mining|access-date=7 September 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906031542/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/12/david-attenborough-calls-for-ban-on-devastating-deep-sea-mining|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sir David Attenborough & President Obama.webm|thumb|Attenborough and US President [[Barack Obama]] discuss the natural world at the [[White House]] (2015).]]
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Attenborough advocated on behalf of the [[Zoological Society of London]] (ZSL) and its conservation efforts, which have been impacted by the economic fallout from the pandemic.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2020 |title=Attenborough warns London Zoo risks 'extinction' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-53346800 |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711053503/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-53346800 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Attenborough was named as a member of the [[Earthshot prize]] Council,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AKDN partners with Prince William in Earthshot prize |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/science-health/akdn-partners-with-prince-william-in-earthshot-prize-2723128 |access-date=27 October 2020 |website=The East African |date=27 October 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027085349/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/science-health/akdn-partners-with-prince-william-in-earthshot-prize-2723128 |url-status=live}}</ref> an initiative of [[Prince William, Duke of Cambridge|Prince William]] to find solutions to environmental issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sh7bn environment 'Nobel' prize launched |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/sh7bn-environment-nobel-prize-launched-2461136 |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=Nation |date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=15 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015010055/https://nation.africa/kenya/news/sh7bn-environment-nobel-prize-launched-2461136 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2020 |title=AKDN launches Earthshot Prize in partnership with Prince William |url=https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/education/akdn-launches-earthshot-prize-partnership-prince-william-142951 |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=Business Standard |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123023553/https://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/education/akdn-launches-earthshot-prize-partnership-prince-william-142951 |url-status=live}}</ref> He is a patron of the [[Friends of Richmond Park]] and serves on the advisory board of [[BBC Wildlife|BBC Wildlife magazine]].<ref name="FRP">{{cite news |author=Christine Fleming |date=3 April 2011 |title=Sir David Attenborough steps up as Friends of Richmond Park marks golden anniversary |publisher=This is Local London (Newsquest) |url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/8949352.Sir_David_steps_up_at_park_party/ |url-status=dead |access-date=1 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221605/http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/8949352.Sir_David_steps_up_at_park_party/ |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

Attenborough was initially sceptical about the human influence on [[climate change]] and stated that a 2004 lecture finally convinced him humans were responsible. He remained silent on the issue until 2006.<ref>{{cite news |last=Attenborough |first=David |date=24 May 2006 |title=Climate change is the major challenge facing the world |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article570935.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516005117/http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article570935.ece |archive-date=16 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hickman |first=Leo |date=13 August 2018 |title=The 2004 lecture that finally convinced David Attenborough about global warming |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/the-2004-lecture-that-finally-convinced-david-attenborough-about-global-warming |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2021 |website=Carbon Brief |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817192300/https://www.carbonbrief.org/the-2004-lecture-that-finally-convinced-david-attenborough-about-global-warming}}</ref> Attenborough attended and spoke at [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference|COP26]] as the "People's Advocate" for the event and urged world leaders to act to reduce emissions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 November 2021|title=The Latest: Attenborough: Earth's stable climate is breaking|url=https://apnews.com/article/science-business-boris-johnson-scotland-glasgow-05be3f0be78eeb46790168c88b453923|access-date=1 November 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101101931/https://apnews.com/article/science-business-boris-johnson-scotland-glasgow-05be3f0be78eeb46790168c88b453923|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 October 2021|title=David Attenborough says Britain has 'moral responsibility' to 'act now' on climate|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/david-attenborough-cop26-boris-johnson-b1945431.html|access-date=1 November 2021|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030043639/https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/david-attenborough-cop26-boris-johnson-b1945431.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He supported [[Glyndebourne]] in their successful application to obtain planning permission for a [[wind turbine]] in an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] and gave evidence at the planning inquiry arguing in favour of the proposal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gammel |first=Caroline |date=11 July 2018 |title='Giant' wind turbine for Glyndebourne |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2286858/Giant-wind-turbine-for-Glyndebourne.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311163555/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2286858/Giant-wind-turbine-for-Glyndebourne.html |archive-date=11 March 2011}}</ref> In his 2020 documentary film ''[[David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet]]'', Attenborough advocates for people to adopt a vegetarian diet or to reduce meat consumption to save [[wildlife]], noting that "the planet can't support billions of meat-eaters."<ref>{{cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=26 August 2020 |title=Go vegetarian to save wildlife and the planet, Sir David Attenborough urges |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/david-attenborough-vegetarian-vegan-meat-life-our-planet-netflix-wildlife-earth-a9689816.html |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005110225/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/david-attenborough-vegetarian-vegan-meat-life-our-planet-netflix-wildlife-earth-a9689816.html |url-status=live}}</ref>