Because, as Attenborough so directly puts it, human beings have overrun the world.
Why is this a problem?
And unfortunately, it’s not all positive.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Lev Radin/Shutterstock
We learnt how to tame the wild.
Get more from the environment.
Our population boomed, as did our demands, Attenborough narrated in a separate Netflix documentary,Our Planet.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom Aleksandr Ozerov/Shutterstock
Every time a new problem arose we solved it, altering Earths entire surface in the process.
The tables have turned.
We now determine natures survival.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom HordynskiPhotography/Shutterstock
It was a drastic change from his carefree earlier years of travelwhen wilderness was truly wild.
Now, he’s very blunt in his view of the state of the planet.
Weve not just ruined the planet, weve destroyed it, he toldNew Scientist.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom slowmotiongli/Shutterstock
Our planet is becoming less wild.
In the last 50 years, the populations of wild animals have reduced by 60%.
Weve replaced them with ourselves and our domesticated animals and plants.
Theres very little wild left.
This biodiversity loss is not just a tragedy, its the single biggest problem we face.
With Attenborough’s reputation behind it, there’s hope that the message will get through.
And though he feels that Earth is currently in disrepair, there is still hope.
This will allow humans to use less space to produce food and reduce deforestation, among other benefits.
Lastly, he advises fostering wild populations whenever possible, including on unused land and even in the city.
