‘Together we can create a better future'

Sir David Attenborough on why we need to act now to save a million species from extinction

- Hannah Davies

A bombshell report from the World Wildlife Fund in 2018 found that the world’s populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish had shrunk by 60% in just over 40 years, with human activity mostly to blame for this dramatic decline.

A recent, even more shocking UN report warned that around a million species of plants and animals currently face extinction.

Now, in his new BBC1 documentary, Extinction: The Facts, Sir David Attenborough examines the precarious state of the natural world and what it means for us.

‘Over the course of my life, I’ve encountered some of the world’s most remarkable species of animals. Only now do I realise just how lucky I’ve been,’ says Sir David, 94. ‘Many of these wonders seem set to disappear forever.’

Experts believe the dire reduction in the number of species is down to four things – the illegal wildlife trade, pollution, climate change and habitat loss.

‘It’s never been more important for us to understand the affects of biodiversity loss, and how we are responsible for it,’ says Sir David. ‘Only if we do that will we have any hope of averting disaster.

‘Its loss threatens our ability to feed ourselves, to control our climate, it even puts us at greater risk of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19.’

But Sir David thinks there is still hope for the planet – and us...