Sir David Attenborough is set to premiere what he describes as one of the most significant films of his illustrious career, coinciding with his upcoming 99th birthday. The film, titled Ocean, is poised to illuminate the critical state of the world's oceans while advocating for urgent action to protect biodiversity and combat climate change. Attenborough, who will turn 99 on Thursday, expressed his belief that the ocean is not only the planet's most vital support system but also humanity's greatest ally in facing the climate crisis. "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on land is not on Earth but at sea," he stated.
The premiere event is scheduled for tonight at the Royal Festival Hall, where a blue carpet will be rolled out in anticipation of a star-studded attendance. Celebrities such as Chris Martin and members of Coldplay, Benedict Cumberbatch, astronaut Tim Peake, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Simon Le Bon are expected to grace the occasion.
Produced by Toby Nowlan, Ocean diverges from typical Attenborough productions, focusing less on showcasing new natural behaviours and more on delivering what Nowlan describes as "the greatest message he's ever told." The film captures the evolving state of the oceans and highlights the dramatic changes that have occurred over the course of Attenborough's lifetime.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Attenborough recalls his first scuba dive in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 1957, where the stunning underwater sights momentarily took his breath away. However, he now warns that the oceans face a catastrophic loss of life due to practices like bottom trawling — a fishing method that severely damages the seabed and results in high levels of bycatch. Attenborough points out that this method, which captures primarily a single species, discards more than three-quarters of the catch, marking it as an extremely wasteful way to fish. He further notes that this fishing practice releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change, and argues that despite its detrimental impact, bottom trawling remains legally sanctioned and even encouraged in several countries.
Despite these grave concerns, Attenborough has not completely lost hope. One of his key messages centres on the ocean's remarkable ability to recover if given the chance. He cites the resurgence of whale populations following the global ban on commercial whaling in 1986 as a case in point. Once on the brink of extinction, whale populations have rebounded significantly, providing a source of optimism for Attenborough. He stated, "There was no coming back, we had lost the great whales," yet the whales’ recovery demonstrates nature's resilience.
Keith Scholey, one of the film's directors and a long-time collaborator of Attenborough, noted the unique energy that the veteran broadcaster brings to their projects, commenting that each collaboration offers new learning experiences. Scholey also highlighted that Attenborough continues to inspire creativity in their work.
Attenborough's overarching message in Ocean is that all hope is not lost. He emphasises the commitments made by countries to protect a third of the world’s oceans, and he hopes that the film will motivate global leaders to take decisive action on these promises at an upcoming United Nations conference. He asserts, "The ocean can bounce back to life," and believes that a healthier ecosystem could assist in trapping more carbon dioxide, thereby mitigating climate change.
As he prepares to celebrate his 99th birthday, Sir David Attenborough remains an unwavering advocate for the natural world, continuing his lifelong mission to raise awareness about environmental issues. Ocean is set to hit cinemas across the UK from Thursday.
Source: Noah Wire Services