- Sir David Attenborough is a biologist, writer, and environmental advocate
- Attenborough is best known for narrating Planet Earth
- The biologist, 98, has addressed nearing “the end of life” in his new documentary
Tears are rolling down our faces as we speak. Now, Sir David Attenborough has opened up about approaching the “end of his life” in a new documentary. At 98, he remains a world-renowned biologist and beloved national treasure.
Meanwhile, Attenborough continues to speak out for animals and the environment. Since 2006, he has narrated the BBC series Planet Earth, which features rare and stunning footage of wildlife from around the globe.
Read more: New York Zoo Feeds Baby Vulture with Hand Puppet
Attenborough’s new documentary is set to be released this week, just ahead of his 99th birthday on 8 May. It will focus on the climate crisis and the damage humans have already done to the planet, with a special focus on the ocean.
For more details about the documentary, keep reading.
What will the new David Attenborough documentary be about?
The documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, takes viewers deep into the planet’s underwater worlds. In it, Attenborough explores the golden age of ocean discovery, highlights the ocean’s crucial role in Earth’s health, and reveals both its challenges and the hope for marine recovery.
Watch the trailer here.
At the start of the trailer, Attenborough reflects, “After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand the most important place is not on land, but at sea.”
From there, the documentary dives into breathtaking footage of ocean life, showcasing vibrant marine ecosystems. Attenborough explains that the ocean acts as a lifeline for our planet, but human impact has left it in “such poor health.”
The ocean can recover, Attenborough says
Still, he offers a message of hope. The ocean, he says, can recover quickly. If we act now to protect it, we can save not just the ocean, but the planet—and ourselves.
“When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered,” he says. “Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true,” Attenborough continues.
At the end of the trailer, he says, “After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure nothing else is more important”.
Aside from being a national treasure, Attenborough has been a broadcaster since the 1950s. His first credited TV job was presenting Animal Patterns in 1953. Animal Patterns was a BBC show where Julian Huxley brought different animals to the BBC studios to explain their markings, colors, and patterns.
In 1954, Attenborough landed a gig with his show, Zoo Quest, which ran for seven seasons over nine years. In this show, Attenborough and a team from London Zoo would travel across the world to various locations to search for exotic animals.
Where can I watch Ocean?
On 8 May, you can watch Ocean in theatres, as it will release worldwide. Later, the documentary will be available to stream on Hulu, Disney+, and National Geographic.
