David Attenborough

David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet is a lucid, insightful memoir that documents the author’s experience as a writer and broadcaster who helped establish natural history as a matter of public interest. He notes the declines in biodiversity that have marked each of his nine decades and argues that increasing biodiversity is the key to solving the climate crisis. Despite evidence to the contrary, Attenborough is optimistic about our ability to prevent a sixth mass extinction. The steps he recommends are all achievable if we have the political will. Unfortunately, none of them is politically easy. Can we limit fishing in a third of the ocean fisheries? Can we cut our meat consumption by a significant percentage? Can we stop deforestation and convert farmland to wilderness? If we can, we may ensure that the Anthropocene is not the shortest of ecological eras.… (more)

Great production, well written and striking a good balance in a very difficult subject. At the same time i do not think the framing is realistic or convincing as far as positive future scenario.

I think in this sense it is still a bit like a documentary which does not need to actually empower but entertain as a priority, despite his sincere effort.

He does not touch many difficult trade offs and truths. Nor does he identify the benefits from some groups in environmental degradation.… (more)