Attenborough’s ‘A Life On Our Planet’ is everything. Here’s why (and what you can do next…)
I was nervous to watch A Life On Our Planet. As I settled in for my viewing, I prepared myself for 83 minutes of heartbreaking footage showing animals and habitats in peril. I know that we have plundered natural environments. We have abused landscapes and animals, and continue to do so on an unimaginable scale. I thought that being confronted with the enormity of human destruction would be overwhelming, and I would feel helpless and defeated afterwards.
I was wrong.
This must-watch documentary does, fundamentally, present a message of hope.
A Life On Our Planet begins and ends poetically in Chernobyl, Ukraine; the sight of the 1986 nuclear disaster. The parallel is drawn between the devastation caused here by “bad planning and human error,” and our unfolding environmental catastrophe.
The film then becomes autobiographical, chronicling the life of Sir David Attenborough, whose ability to weave wonder and science into story has long been celebrated. He describes the balance of the natural world, and the ways in which biodiversity enables species to survive. He shares with us his ‘witness statement,’ allowing us to understand the gravity of the damage we have inflicted. In this world “run by humankind, for humankind,” we learn that currently, only four per cent of all mammals are wild. We have cleared half of the world’s rainforests. We have driven plant and animal species to extinction, or the brink thereof. We are increasing the Earth’s temperature.
It is not difficult to be left gaping at the incredible footage and threatening truths. We are then shown the state of our planet in approximately 80 years time if we continue this course. Essentially, we see, we will decimate our own existence.
But all is not lost… yet.
Attenborough explains to his captivated audience that if we act now, we can avoid calamity. He says “we must re-wild the world,” and regain our symbiosis with global biodiversity. He describes the positive impacts some areas have experienced in response to altering human behaviours. In Costa Rica, the government offered grants to land owners to re-plant native trees. In Palau, fishing practices were successfully reduced until local populations were thriving once more. These examples remind us that it’s not too late for change, even in the most exhausted habitats.
Looking to the future of our planet, Attenborough suggests his views for change, including living off sustainable energy, preserving forests and moving towards a mostly plant-based diet.
“If we take care of nature” he promises, “nature will take care of us.”
A Life On Our Planet is the tale of a treasured naturalist’s life. Presented with a plea for large-scale action, you could be forgiven for thinking it is largely aimed at governing bodies. But change begins and ends with the individual. We must make our values and our priorities clear with every decision we make, every vote we cast and every dollar we spend. Our simple act of devouring this documentary may be the catalyst to forming a society which is more aware. A society which can recognise two alternative global outcomes and strive, thereby, for biological harmony.
The story of Earth does not yet have an ending.
We are all still writing it.
If you seek inspiration to make personal changes, this viewing will surely pique your interest. For more ideas, consider the following actions, written in consultation with Ebony Wyatt- zoologist and environmental activist.
- Start consistently using the search engine Ecosia. Ecosia uses its ad revenue to plant trees around the world.
- Create or sign a petition. A visit to change.org can be both enlightening and empowering.
- Download and experiment with the Flora app. Flora is a productivity tool, but its designers have paired with tree-planting organisations in Africa and East Asia to plant real trees for communities in need.
- When you cook a plant-based meal, share that recipe! The greatest barrier to eating fewer animal products is often simply habit.
- If you are a seafood lover, visit the Marine Stewardship Council to learn about ocean sustainability, fisheries to support, and even recipes for your favourite fish.
- Move towards reusable containers. Ditch the single-use plastic by taking your own containers to bulk-buying or ‘pick and weigh’ stores. If you’re in Berlin, have a look at The Simplicity Diaries for locations offering this service.
- Make your values clear. Like, comment, share, save and follow the posts or people who prioritise global sustainability. Let’s support each other to refocus on the causes that truly matter.
- Help a child engage with nature. Whether you’re a primary caregiver or a cool aunt, promoting a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature is imperative for its preservation. Education, empathy and awe is key to encouraging generations to strive for global betterment.
Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored or paid for by any of the organisations mentioned.
Originally created for @artilmagazine
