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1 00:01:12,489 00:01:18,328 This city in Ukraine was once home to almost 50,000 people. This city in Ukraine was once home to almost 50,000 people.
2 00:01:18,912 00:01:23,041 It had everything a community would need for a comfortable life. It had everything a community would need for a comfortable life.
3 00:01:24,209 00:01:26,628 [indistinct chatter] [indistinct chatter]
4 00:01:26,711 00:01:32,383 But on the 26th of April, 1986, it suddenly became uninhabitable. But on the 26th of April, 1986, it suddenly became uninhabitable.
5 00:01:34,385 00:01:38,681 The nearby nuclear power station of Chernobyl exploded. The nearby nuclear power station of Chernobyl exploded.
6 00:01:38,765 00:01:41,643 [helicopter hovering] [helicopter hovering]
7 00:01:42,644 00:01:47,273 And in less than 48 hours, the city was evacuated. And in less than 48 hours, the city was evacuated.
8 00:01:50,777 00:01:52,987 No one has lived here since. No one has lived here since.
9 00:02:03,832 00:02:10,213 The explosion was a result of bad planning and human error. Mistakes. The explosion was a result of bad planning and human error. Mistakes.
10 00:02:11,381 00:02:17,053 It triggered an environmental catastrophe that had an impact across Europe. It triggered an environmental catastrophe that had an impact across Europe.
11 00:02:17,971 00:02:23,476 Many people regarded it as the most costly in the history of mankind. Many people regarded it as the most costly in the history of mankind.
12 00:02:25,603 00:02:28,940 But Chernobyl was a single event. But Chernobyl was a single event.
13 00:02:29,732 00:02:34,112 The true tragedy of our time is still unfolding across the globe, The true tragedy of our time is still unfolding across the globe,
14 00:02:34,195 00:02:36,489 barely noticeable from day to day. barely noticeable from day to day.
15 00:02:37,323 00:02:41,161 I'm talking about the loss of our planet's wild places, I'm talking about the loss of our planet's wild places,
16 00:02:41,244 00:02:43,162 its biodiversity. its biodiversity.
17 00:02:50,420 00:02:54,340 The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel. The living world is a unique and spectacular marvel.
18 00:02:55,884 00:03:00,513 Billions of individuals, and millions of kinds of plants and animals... Billions of individuals, and millions of kinds of plants and animals...
19 00:03:00,597 00:03:01,472 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
20 00:03:01,556 00:03:04,475 ...dazzling in their variety and richness. ...dazzling in their variety and richness.
21 00:03:06,603 00:03:10,523 Working together to benefit from the energy of the sun Working together to benefit from the energy of the sun
22 00:03:11,024 00:03:13,151 and the minerals of the earth. and the minerals of the earth.
23 00:03:15,278 00:03:20,700 Leading lives that interlock in such a way that they sustain each other. Leading lives that interlock in such a way that they sustain each other.
24 00:03:22,785 00:03:28,166 We rely entirely on this finely tuned life-support machine. We rely entirely on this finely tuned life-support machine.
25 00:03:29,626 00:03:34,464 And it relies on its biodiversity to run smoothly. And it relies on its biodiversity to run smoothly.
26 00:03:39,719 00:03:46,392 Yet the way we humans live on Earth now is sending biodiversity into a decline. Yet the way we humans live on Earth now is sending biodiversity into a decline.
27 00:03:46,476 00:03:48,895 [leaves rustling] [leaves rustling]
28 00:03:51,940 00:03:56,402 This too is happening as a result of bad planning and human error This too is happening as a result of bad planning and human error
29 00:03:57,278 00:04:01,157 and it too will lead to what we see here. and it too will lead to what we see here.
30 00:04:04,410 00:04:07,872 A place in which we cannot live. A place in which we cannot live.
31 00:04:12,585 00:04:14,337 The natural world is fading. The natural world is fading.
32 00:04:14,420 00:04:18,257 The evidence is all around. It's happened in my lifetime. The evidence is all around. It's happened in my lifetime.
33 00:04:18,341 00:04:20,551 I've seen it with my own eyes. I've seen it with my own eyes.
34 00:04:21,219 00:04:25,890 This film is my witness statement and my vision for the future, This film is my witness statement and my vision for the future,
35 00:04:26,557 00:04:30,270 the story of how we came to make this our greatest mistake, the story of how we came to make this our greatest mistake,
36 00:04:30,353 00:04:34,774 and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right. and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.
37 00:04:52,417 00:04:57,046 I am David Attenborough, and I am 93. I am David Attenborough, and I am 93.
38 00:04:57,964 00:05:00,550 I've had the most extraordinary life. I've had the most extraordinary life.
39 00:05:01,342 00:05:05,096 It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary.
40 00:05:06,055 00:05:08,349 [speaking indistinctly] [speaking indistinctly]
41 00:05:11,144 00:05:13,104 [Attenborough] I've been lucky enough to spend my life [Attenborough] I've been lucky enough to spend my life
42 00:05:13,187 00:05:15,606 exploring the wild places of our planet. exploring the wild places of our planet.
43 00:05:18,735 00:05:21,237 I've traveled to every part of the globe. I've traveled to every part of the globe.
44 00:05:28,077 00:05:33,916 I've experienced the living world firsthand in all its variety and wonder. I've experienced the living world firsthand in all its variety and wonder.
45 00:05:36,836 00:05:41,132 In truth, I couldn't imagine living my life in any other way. In truth, I couldn't imagine living my life in any other way.
46 00:05:44,594 00:05:49,640 I've always had a passion to explore, to have adventures, I've always had a passion to explore, to have adventures,
47 00:05:50,141 00:05:52,769 to learn about the wilds beyond. to learn about the wilds beyond.
48 00:05:52,852 00:05:54,395 [exclaiming in surprise] [exclaiming in surprise]
49 00:05:54,479 00:05:55,730 And I'm still learning. And I'm still learning.
50 00:05:56,689 00:05:57,690 Boo! Boo!
51 00:05:57,774 00:06:01,277 As much now as I did when I was a boy. As much now as I did when I was a boy.
52 00:06:02,403 00:06:04,113 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
53 00:06:18,878 00:06:21,172 It was a very different world back then. It was a very different world back then.
54 00:06:22,715 00:06:27,345 We had very little understanding of how the living world actually worked. We had very little understanding of how the living world actually worked.
55 00:06:30,139 00:06:32,767 It was called natural history It was called natural history
56 00:06:32,850 00:06:35,728 because that's essentially what it was all about... because that's essentially what it was all about...
57 00:06:37,188 00:06:38,439 history. history.
58 00:06:42,276 00:06:44,362 It was a great place to come to as a boy, It was a great place to come to as a boy,
59 00:06:44,445 00:06:49,742 because this is, um, ironstone workings, but it was disused. because this is, um, ironstone workings, but it was disused.
60 00:06:49,826 00:06:51,828 All this was absolutely clear, it was... All this was absolutely clear, it was...
61 00:06:51,911 00:06:53,996 only just stopped being a working quarry. only just stopped being a working quarry.
62 00:07:07,718 00:07:11,430 When I was a boy, I spent all my spare time When I was a boy, I spent all my spare time
63 00:07:11,514 00:07:14,183 searching through rocks in places like this... searching through rocks in places like this...
64 00:07:15,601 00:07:17,019 for buried treasure. for buried treasure.
65 00:07:20,273 00:07:21,107 Fossils. Fossils.
66 00:07:22,859 00:07:25,111 It's a creature called an ammonite. It's a creature called an ammonite.
67 00:07:25,194 00:07:28,489 And in life the animal itself lived in the chamber here And in life the animal itself lived in the chamber here
68 00:07:28,573 00:07:31,659 and spread out its tentacles to catch its prey. and spread out its tentacles to catch its prey.
69 00:07:33,286 00:07:36,747 And it lived about 180 million years ago. And it lived about 180 million years ago.
70 00:07:37,874 00:07:42,462 This particular one has a scientific name of Tiltonicerus, This particular one has a scientific name of Tiltonicerus,
71 00:07:42,545 00:07:46,132 because the first one ever was found near this quarry because the first one ever was found near this quarry
72 00:07:46,215 00:07:49,010 here in Tilton, in the middle of England. here in Tilton, in the middle of England.
73 00:07:50,428 00:07:55,892 Over time, I began to learn something about the earth's evolutionary history. Over time, I began to learn something about the earth's evolutionary history.
74 00:07:56,767 00:08:00,897 By and large, it's a story of slow, steady change. By and large, it's a story of slow, steady change.
75 00:08:03,566 00:08:08,779 Over billions of years, nature has crafted miraculous forms, Over billions of years, nature has crafted miraculous forms,
76 00:08:08,863 00:08:12,992 each more complex and accomplished than the last. each more complex and accomplished than the last.
77 00:08:15,244 00:08:18,706 It's an achingly intricate labor. It's an achingly intricate labor.
78 00:08:22,835 00:08:26,297 And then, every hundred million years or so, And then, every hundred million years or so,
79 00:08:26,380 00:08:29,675 after all those painstaking processes, after all those painstaking processes,
80 00:08:29,759 00:08:34,847 something catastrophic happens, a mass extinction. something catastrophic happens, a mass extinction.
81 00:08:35,932 00:08:41,562 Great numbers of species disappear and are suddenly replaced by a few. Great numbers of species disappear and are suddenly replaced by a few.
82 00:08:43,648 00:08:45,942 All that evolution undone. All that evolution undone.
83 00:08:48,027 00:08:51,572 You can see it. A line in the rock layers. You can see it. A line in the rock layers.
84 00:08:51,656 00:08:56,410 A boundary that marks a profound, rapid, global change. A boundary that marks a profound, rapid, global change.
85 00:08:57,161 00:09:00,873 Below the line are a multitude of lifeforms. Below the line are a multitude of lifeforms.
86 00:09:02,416 00:09:04,418 Above, very few. Above, very few.
87 00:09:07,505 00:09:13,219 A mass extinction has happened five times in life's four-billion-year history. A mass extinction has happened five times in life's four-billion-year history.
88 00:09:15,805 00:09:17,265 The last time it happened The last time it happened
89 00:09:17,348 00:09:21,727 was the event that brought the end of the age of the dinosaurs. was the event that brought the end of the age of the dinosaurs.
90 00:09:22,979 00:09:26,607 A meteorite impact triggered a catastrophic change A meteorite impact triggered a catastrophic change
91 00:09:26,691 00:09:28,818 in the earth's conditions. in the earth's conditions.
92 00:09:31,529 00:09:35,908 75% of all species were wiped out. 75% of all species were wiped out.
93 00:09:38,911 00:09:42,832 Life had no option but to rebuild. Life had no option but to rebuild.
94 00:09:44,625 00:09:50,214 For 65 million years, it's been at work reconstructing the living world... For 65 million years, it's been at work reconstructing the living world...
95 00:09:52,133 00:09:57,555 until we come to the world we know... our time. until we come to the world we know... our time.
96 00:10:05,396 00:10:08,774 Scientists call it the Holocene. Scientists call it the Holocene.
97 00:10:14,280 00:10:17,617 The Holocene has been one of the most stable periods The Holocene has been one of the most stable periods
98 00:10:17,700 00:10:19,827 in our planet's great history. in our planet's great history.
99 00:10:19,910 00:10:22,163 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
100 00:10:22,246 00:10:27,627 For 10,000 years, the average temperature has not wavered up or down For 10,000 years, the average temperature has not wavered up or down
101 00:10:27,710 00:10:29,920 by more than one degree Celsius. by more than one degree Celsius.
102 00:10:33,924 00:10:37,386 And the rich and thriving living world around us And the rich and thriving living world around us
103 00:10:37,970 00:10:40,514 has been key to this stability. has been key to this stability.
104 00:10:44,685 00:10:51,108 Phytoplankton at the ocean's surface and immense forests straddling the north Phytoplankton at the ocean's surface and immense forests straddling the north
105 00:10:51,192 00:10:56,238 have helped to balance the atmosphere by locking away carbon. have helped to balance the atmosphere by locking away carbon.
106 00:10:59,158 00:11:00,993 Huge herds on the plains Huge herds on the plains
107 00:11:01,077 00:11:06,248 have kept the grasslands rich and productive by fertilizing the soils. have kept the grasslands rich and productive by fertilizing the soils.
108 00:11:12,171 00:11:15,966 Mangroves and coral reefs along thousands of miles of coast Mangroves and coral reefs along thousands of miles of coast
109 00:11:16,550 00:11:19,053 have harbored nurseries of fish species have harbored nurseries of fish species
110 00:11:19,136 00:11:23,766 that, when mature, then range into open waters. that, when mature, then range into open waters.
111 00:11:30,398 00:11:35,361 A thick belt of jungles around the equator has piled plant on plant A thick belt of jungles around the equator has piled plant on plant
112 00:11:35,444 00:11:38,656 to capture as much of the sun's energy as possible, to capture as much of the sun's energy as possible,
113 00:11:39,240 00:11:42,993 adding moisture and oxygen to the global air currents. adding moisture and oxygen to the global air currents.
114 00:11:47,331 00:11:50,376 And the extent of the polar ice has been critical, And the extent of the polar ice has been critical,
115 00:11:50,459 00:11:53,629 reflecting sunlight back off its white surface, reflecting sunlight back off its white surface,
116 00:11:54,338 00:11:56,298 cooling the whole earth. cooling the whole earth.
117 00:12:00,261 00:12:05,015 The biodiversity of the Holocene helped to bring stability, The biodiversity of the Holocene helped to bring stability,
118 00:12:06,142 00:12:12,606 and the entire living world settled into a gentle, reliable rhythm... and the entire living world settled into a gentle, reliable rhythm...
119 00:12:13,941 00:12:15,443 the seasons. the seasons.
120 00:12:15,526 00:12:16,444 [thunder rumbling] [thunder rumbling]
121 00:12:16,527 00:12:18,070 [lowing] [lowing]
122 00:12:23,200 00:12:24,660 On the tropical plains, On the tropical plains,
123 00:12:24,743 00:12:29,957 the dry and rainy seasons would switch every year like clockwork. the dry and rainy seasons would switch every year like clockwork.
124 00:12:33,711 00:12:38,340 In Asia, the winds would create the monsoon on cue. In Asia, the winds would create the monsoon on cue.
125 00:12:38,424 00:12:40,217 [thunder rumbling] [thunder rumbling]
126 00:12:46,223 00:12:51,604 In the northern regions, the temperatures would lift in March, triggering spring, In the northern regions, the temperatures would lift in March, triggering spring,
127 00:12:52,771 00:12:57,902 and stay high until they dipped in October and brought about autumn. and stay high until they dipped in October and brought about autumn.
128 00:12:57,985 00:12:59,737 [birds chirping and chattering] [birds chirping and chattering]
129 00:13:02,156 00:13:05,868 The Holocene was our Garden of Eden. The Holocene was our Garden of Eden.
130 00:13:05,951 00:13:08,621 Its rhythm of seasons was so reliable Its rhythm of seasons was so reliable
131 00:13:08,704 00:13:12,374 that it gave our own species a unique opportunity. that it gave our own species a unique opportunity.
132 00:13:12,458 00:13:15,002 [mooing] [mooing]
133 00:13:15,085 00:13:17,713 We invented farming. We invented farming.
134 00:13:20,633 00:13:25,554 We learnt how to exploit the seasons to produce food crops. We learnt how to exploit the seasons to produce food crops.
135 00:13:27,431 00:13:31,477 The history of all human civilization followed. The history of all human civilization followed.
136 00:13:33,395 00:13:37,107 Each generation able to develop and progress Each generation able to develop and progress
137 00:13:37,191 00:13:40,694 only because the living world could be relied upon only because the living world could be relied upon
138 00:13:40,778 00:13:43,239 to deliver us the conditions we needed. to deliver us the conditions we needed.
139 00:13:46,575 00:13:51,664 The pace of progress was unlike anything to be found in the fossil record. The pace of progress was unlike anything to be found in the fossil record.
140 00:13:54,917 00:13:59,463 Our intelligence changed the way in which we evolved. Our intelligence changed the way in which we evolved.
141 00:14:00,256 00:14:01,549 In the past, In the past,
142 00:14:01,632 00:14:07,721 animals had to develop some physical ability to change their lives. animals had to develop some physical ability to change their lives.
143 00:14:08,514 00:14:11,809 But for us, an idea could do that. But for us, an idea could do that.
144 00:14:11,892 00:14:15,938 And the idea could be passed from one generation to the next. And the idea could be passed from one generation to the next.
145 00:14:18,524 00:14:22,069 We were transforming what a species could achieve. We were transforming what a species could achieve.
146 00:14:26,323 00:14:32,580 A few millennia after this began, I grew up at exactly the right moment. A few millennia after this began, I grew up at exactly the right moment.
147 00:14:35,040 00:14:37,793 The start of my career in my 20s The start of my career in my 20s
148 00:14:37,877 00:14:41,964 coincided with the advent of global air travel. coincided with the advent of global air travel.
149 00:14:43,507 00:14:46,969 So, I had the privilege of being amongst the first So, I had the privilege of being amongst the first
150 00:14:47,052 00:14:51,223 to fully experience the bounty of life that had come about to fully experience the bounty of life that had come about
151 00:14:51,307 00:14:53,892 as a result of the Holocene's gentle climate. as a result of the Holocene's gentle climate.
152 00:15:14,079 00:15:17,541 Wherever I went, there was wilderness. Wherever I went, there was wilderness.
153 00:15:18,459 00:15:20,794 Sparkling coastal seas. Sparkling coastal seas.
154 00:15:21,920 00:15:23,547 Vast forests. Vast forests.
155 00:15:25,132 00:15:27,134 Immense grasslands. Immense grasslands.
156 00:15:27,217 00:15:31,180 You could fly for hours over the untouched wilderness. You could fly for hours over the untouched wilderness.
157 00:15:33,933 00:15:38,395 And there I was, actually being asked to explore these places And there I was, actually being asked to explore these places
158 00:15:38,479 00:15:42,107 and record the wonders of the natural world for people back home. and record the wonders of the natural world for people back home.
159 00:15:44,234 00:15:45,736 And to begin with, it was quite easy. And to begin with, it was quite easy.
160 00:15:45,819 00:15:48,238 People had never seen pangolins before on television. People had never seen pangolins before on television.
161 00:15:48,322 00:15:50,032 They'd never seen sloths before. They'd never seen sloths before.
162 00:15:50,115 00:15:52,326 They had never seen the center of New Guinea before. They had never seen the center of New Guinea before.
163 00:15:58,123 00:16:00,376 It was the best time of my life. It was the best time of my life.
164 00:16:01,627 00:16:04,505 The best time of our lives. The best time of our lives.
165 00:16:05,214 00:16:09,426 The Second World War was over, technology was making our lives easier. The Second World War was over, technology was making our lives easier.
166 00:16:11,971 00:16:15,724 The pace of change was getting faster and faster. The pace of change was getting faster and faster.
167 00:16:16,475 00:16:18,477 [indistinct chatter] [indistinct chatter]
168 00:16:21,480 00:16:24,650 [Attenborough] It felt that nothing would limit our progress. [Attenborough] It felt that nothing would limit our progress.
169 00:16:25,693 00:16:28,779 The future was going to be exciting. The future was going to be exciting.
170 00:16:28,862 00:16:31,824 It was going to bring everything we had ever dreamed of. It was going to bring everything we had ever dreamed of.
171 00:16:34,910 00:16:39,289 This was before any of us were aware that there were problems. This was before any of us were aware that there were problems.
172 00:16:52,886 00:16:57,391 My first visit to East Africa was in 1960. My first visit to East Africa was in 1960.
173 00:17:01,687 00:17:06,900 Back then, it seemed inconceivable that we, a single species, Back then, it seemed inconceivable that we, a single species,
174 00:17:06,984 00:17:12,489 might one day have the power to threaten the very existence of the wilderness. might one day have the power to threaten the very existence of the wilderness.
175 00:17:16,076 00:17:20,664 The Maasai word "Serengeti" means "endless plains." The Maasai word "Serengeti" means "endless plains."
176 00:17:21,290 00:17:24,001 To those who live here, it's an apt description. To those who live here, it's an apt description.
177 00:17:24,084 00:17:26,754 You can be in one spot on the Serengeti, You can be in one spot on the Serengeti,
178 00:17:26,837 00:17:29,506 and the place is totally empty of animals, and the place is totally empty of animals,
179 00:17:29,590 00:17:31,050 and then, the next morning... and then, the next morning...
180 00:17:31,133 00:17:32,593 [bellowing] [bellowing]
181 00:17:32,676 00:17:34,720 ...one million wildebeest. ...one million wildebeest.
182 00:17:34,803 00:17:37,890 [bellowing] [bellowing]
183 00:17:41,185 00:17:43,437 A quarter of a million zebra. A quarter of a million zebra.
184 00:17:43,520 00:17:46,023 [snorting] [snorting]
185 00:17:48,150 00:17:49,943 Half a million gazelle. Half a million gazelle.
186 00:17:53,030 00:17:54,656 A few days after that... A few days after that...
187 00:17:55,991 00:17:59,328 and they're gone... over the horizon. and they're gone... over the horizon.
188 00:17:59,411 00:18:03,499 You can be forgiven for thinking that these plains are endless You can be forgiven for thinking that these plains are endless
189 00:18:04,082 00:18:06,293 when they could swallow up such a herd. when they could swallow up such a herd.
190 00:18:07,377 00:18:08,962 It took a visionary scientist, It took a visionary scientist,
191 00:18:09,046 00:18:12,716 Bernhard Grzimek, to explain that this wasn't true. Bernhard Grzimek, to explain that this wasn't true.
192 00:18:16,011 00:18:21,433 He and his son used a plane to follow the herds over the horizon. He and his son used a plane to follow the herds over the horizon.
193 00:18:22,059 00:18:24,436 [grunting] [grunting]
194 00:18:31,610 00:18:34,530 They charted them as they moved across rivers, They charted them as they moved across rivers,
195 00:18:34,613 00:18:37,783 through woodlands, and over national borders. through woodlands, and over national borders.
196 00:18:39,952 00:18:42,371 They discovered that the Serengeti herds They discovered that the Serengeti herds
197 00:18:42,454 00:18:47,376 required an enormous area of healthy grassland to function. required an enormous area of healthy grassland to function.
198 00:18:48,627 00:18:52,965 That without such an immense space, the herds would diminish That without such an immense space, the herds would diminish
199 00:18:53,048 00:18:57,010 and the entire ecosystem would come crashing down. and the entire ecosystem would come crashing down.
200 00:18:58,804 00:19:03,016 The point for me was simple: the wild is far from unlimited. The point for me was simple: the wild is far from unlimited.
201 00:19:03,100 00:19:06,019 It's finite. It needs protecting. It's finite. It needs protecting.
202 00:19:06,520 00:19:10,149 And a few years later, that idea became obvious to everyone. And a few years later, that idea became obvious to everyone.
203 00:19:10,941 00:19:16,488 [NASA technician] Five, four, three, two one, zero. [NASA technician] Five, four, three, two one, zero.
204 00:19:18,448 00:19:23,162 [Attenborough] I was in a television studio when the Apollo mission launched. [Attenborough] I was in a television studio when the Apollo mission launched.
205 00:19:27,249 00:19:28,625 It was the first time It was the first time
206 00:19:28,709 00:19:32,421 that any human had moved away far enough from the earth that any human had moved away far enough from the earth
207 00:19:32,504 00:19:34,339 to see the whole planet. to see the whole planet.
208 00:19:35,716 00:19:37,843 And this is what they saw... And this is what they saw...
209 00:19:40,554 00:19:42,514 what we all saw. what we all saw.
210 00:19:43,932 00:19:48,854 Our planet, vulnerable and isolated. Our planet, vulnerable and isolated.
211 00:19:54,902 00:19:59,489 One of the extraordinary things about it was that the world One of the extraordinary things about it was that the world
212 00:19:59,573 00:20:02,326 could actually watch it as it happened. could actually watch it as it happened.
213 00:20:02,910 00:20:09,041 It was extraordinary that you could see what a man out in space could see It was extraordinary that you could see what a man out in space could see
214 00:20:09,124 00:20:11,210 as he saw it at the same time. as he saw it at the same time.
215 00:20:12,628 00:20:16,840 And I remember very well that first shot. And I remember very well that first shot.
216 00:20:17,341 00:20:20,093 You saw a blue marble, You saw a blue marble,
217 00:20:20,177 00:20:26,642 a blue sphere in the blackness, and you realized that that was the earth. a blue sphere in the blackness, and you realized that that was the earth.
218 00:20:27,142 00:20:31,104 And in that one shot, there was the whole of humanity with nothing else And in that one shot, there was the whole of humanity with nothing else
219 00:20:31,188 00:20:35,734 except the person that was in the spacecraft taking that picture. except the person that was in the spacecraft taking that picture.
220 00:20:36,735 00:20:41,531 And that completely changed the mindset of the population, And that completely changed the mindset of the population,
221 00:20:41,615 00:20:43,242 the human population of the world. the human population of the world.
222 00:20:46,870 00:20:48,997 Our home was not limitless. Our home was not limitless.
223 00:20:50,624 00:20:53,252 There was an edge to our existence. There was an edge to our existence.
224 00:20:54,795 00:20:59,049 It was a rediscovery of a fundamental truth. It was a rediscovery of a fundamental truth.
225 00:21:00,259 00:21:04,346 We are ultimately bound by and reliant upon We are ultimately bound by and reliant upon
226 00:21:04,429 00:21:07,641 the finite natural world about us. the finite natural world about us.
227 00:21:09,559 00:21:13,438 This truth defined the life we led in our pre-history, This truth defined the life we led in our pre-history,
228 00:21:13,522 00:21:17,067 the time before farming and civilization. the time before farming and civilization.
229 00:21:17,651 00:21:20,862 Even as some of us were setting foot on the moon, Even as some of us were setting foot on the moon,
230 00:21:20,946 00:21:26,451 others were still leading such a life in the most remote parts of the planet. others were still leading such a life in the most remote parts of the planet.
231 00:21:34,042 00:21:40,090 In 1971, I set out to find an uncontacted tribe in New Guinea. In 1971, I set out to find an uncontacted tribe in New Guinea.
232 00:21:43,719 00:21:50,309 These people were hunter-gatherers, as all humankind had been before farming. These people were hunter-gatherers, as all humankind had been before farming.
233 00:21:51,518 00:21:53,812 [speaking tribal language] [speaking tribal language]
234 00:21:53,895 00:21:57,691 [Attenborough] They lived in small numbers and didn't take too much. [Attenborough] They lived in small numbers and didn't take too much.
235 00:21:58,191 00:22:02,029 [speaking tribal language] [speaking tribal language]
236 00:22:02,112 00:22:04,448 [Attenborough] They ate meat rarely. [Attenborough] They ate meat rarely.
237 00:22:05,365 00:22:09,911 The resources they used naturally renewed themselves. The resources they used naturally renewed themselves.
238 00:22:10,871 00:22:15,542 Working with their traditional technology, they were living sustainably, Working with their traditional technology, they were living sustainably,
239 00:22:16,126 00:22:20,005 a lifestyle that could continue effectively forever. a lifestyle that could continue effectively forever.
240 00:22:20,797 00:22:23,467 [speaking native language] [speaking native language]
241 00:22:23,550 00:22:26,303 [Attenborough] It was a stark contrast to the world I knew. [Attenborough] It was a stark contrast to the world I knew.
242 00:22:27,471 00:22:30,724 A world that demanded more every day. A world that demanded more every day.
243 00:22:40,734 00:22:44,988 I spent the latter half of the 1970s traveling the world, I spent the latter half of the 1970s traveling the world,
244 00:22:45,072 00:22:49,409 making a series I had long dreamed of called Life on Earth, making a series I had long dreamed of called Life on Earth,
245 00:22:50,577 00:22:54,915 the story of the evolution of life and its diversity. the story of the evolution of life and its diversity.
246 00:22:56,708 00:22:59,002 It was shot in 39 countries. It was shot in 39 countries.
247 00:23:00,295 00:23:03,673 We filmed 650 species, We filmed 650 species,
248 00:23:03,757 00:23:07,177 and we traveled one and a half million miles. and we traveled one and a half million miles.
249 00:23:07,844 00:23:10,305 That's the sort of commitment you need That's the sort of commitment you need
250 00:23:10,388 00:23:14,309 if you want to even begin making a portrait of the living world. if you want to even begin making a portrait of the living world.
251 00:23:16,103 00:23:17,395 But it was noticeable But it was noticeable
252 00:23:17,479 00:23:20,649 that some of these animals were becoming harder to find. that some of these animals were becoming harder to find.
253 00:23:36,748 00:23:39,417 When I filmed with the mountain gorillas, When I filmed with the mountain gorillas,
254 00:23:39,501 00:23:44,506 there were only 300 left in a remote jungle in Central Africa. there were only 300 left in a remote jungle in Central Africa.
255 00:23:46,007 00:23:48,426 Baby gorillas were at a premium, Baby gorillas were at a premium,
256 00:23:48,510 00:23:51,721 and poachers would kill a dozen adults to get one. and poachers would kill a dozen adults to get one.
257 00:23:53,473 00:23:58,019 I got as close as I did only because the gorillas were used to people. I got as close as I did only because the gorillas were used to people.
258 00:24:00,313 00:24:05,110 The only way to keep them alive was for rangers to be with them every day. The only way to keep them alive was for rangers to be with them every day.
259 00:24:11,366 00:24:16,580 The process of extinction that I'd seen as a boy... in the rocks, The process of extinction that I'd seen as a boy... in the rocks,
260 00:24:17,581 00:24:21,835 I now became aware was happening right there around me I now became aware was happening right there around me
261 00:24:22,627 00:24:25,046 to animals with which I was familiar. to animals with which I was familiar.
262 00:24:26,840 00:24:28,550 Our closest relatives. Our closest relatives.
263 00:24:32,095 00:24:34,097 And we were responsible. And we were responsible.
264 00:24:36,933 00:24:39,477 It revealed a cold reality. It revealed a cold reality.
265 00:24:40,937 00:24:43,064 Once a species became our target, Once a species became our target,
266 00:24:43,565 00:24:47,068 there was now nowhere on earth that it could hide. there was now nowhere on earth that it could hide.
267 00:24:59,748 00:25:06,296 Whales were being slaughtered by fleets of industrial whaling ships in the 1970s. Whales were being slaughtered by fleets of industrial whaling ships in the 1970s.
268 00:25:10,508 00:25:13,678 The largest whales, the blues, The largest whales, the blues,
269 00:25:13,762 00:25:16,389 numbered only a few thousand by then. numbered only a few thousand by then.
270 00:25:21,102 00:25:23,730 They were virtually impossible to find. They were virtually impossible to find.
271 00:25:26,858 00:25:32,197 We found humpbacks off Hawaii only by listening out for their calls. We found humpbacks off Hawaii only by listening out for their calls.
272 00:25:32,781 00:25:35,116 A moment ago, we made this recording A moment ago, we made this recording
273 00:25:35,200 00:25:39,120 with an underwater microphone here in the Pacific near Hawaii. with an underwater microphone here in the Pacific near Hawaii.
274 00:25:39,204 00:25:40,372 Just listen to this. Just listen to this.
275 00:25:41,998 00:25:45,794 [whales singing] [whales singing]
276 00:25:47,379 00:25:49,381 [whales continue singing] [whales continue singing]
277 00:25:52,342 00:25:56,304 Recordings like these revealed that the songs of the humpbacks Recordings like these revealed that the songs of the humpbacks
278 00:25:56,388 00:25:58,515 are long and complex. are long and complex.
279 00:25:59,849 00:26:03,728 Humpbacks living in the same area learn their songs from each other. Humpbacks living in the same area learn their songs from each other.
280 00:26:04,604 00:26:10,277 And the songs have distinct themes and variations which evolve over time. And the songs have distinct themes and variations which evolve over time.
281 00:26:10,360 00:26:13,238 [whales singing] [whales singing]
282 00:26:19,327 00:26:21,997 Their mournful songs were the key Their mournful songs were the key
283 00:26:22,080 00:26:24,958 to transforming people's opinions about them. to transforming people's opinions about them.
284 00:26:27,002 00:26:28,628 [speaking Russian] [speaking Russian]
285 00:26:29,462 00:26:32,215 [protester in English] Hello, Boctok. We are Canadian. [protester in English] Hello, Boctok. We are Canadian.
286 00:26:33,800 00:26:35,593 [over megaphone] Please stop killing the whales. [over megaphone] Please stop killing the whales.
287 00:26:38,138 00:26:40,473 [Attenborough] Animals that had been viewed [Attenborough] Animals that had been viewed
288 00:26:40,557 00:26:43,768 as little more than a source of oil and meat as little more than a source of oil and meat
289 00:26:43,852 00:26:46,521 became personalities. became personalities.
290 00:26:49,024 00:26:51,526 [protester over megaphone] We are men and women, and we speak for children, [protester over megaphone] We are men and women, and we speak for children,
291 00:26:52,277 00:26:56,489 and we're all saying, "Please stop killing the whales." and we're all saying, "Please stop killing the whales."
292 00:26:58,533 00:27:02,871 We have pursued animals to extinction many times in our history, We have pursued animals to extinction many times in our history,
293 00:27:03,747 00:27:08,209 but now that it was visible, it was no longer acceptable. but now that it was visible, it was no longer acceptable.
294 00:27:16,176 00:27:20,680 The killing of whales turned from a harvest to a crime. The killing of whales turned from a harvest to a crime.
295 00:27:22,599 00:27:26,144 A powerful shared conscience had suddenly appeared. A powerful shared conscience had suddenly appeared.
296 00:27:27,145 00:27:30,690 Nobody wanted animals to become extinct. Nobody wanted animals to become extinct.
297 00:27:32,150 00:27:35,028 People were coming to care for the natural world... People were coming to care for the natural world...
298 00:27:36,029 00:27:39,657 as they were made aware of the natural world. as they were made aware of the natural world.
299 00:27:42,702 00:27:47,290 And we now had the means to make people across the world aware. And we now had the means to make people across the world aware.
300 00:27:47,957 00:27:49,959 [theme music playing] [theme music playing]
301 00:27:54,923 00:28:00,720 [Attenborough] By the time Life on Earth aired in 1979, I had entered my 50s. [Attenborough] By the time Life on Earth aired in 1979, I had entered my 50s.
302 00:28:01,262 00:28:04,349 There were twice the number of people on the planet There were twice the number of people on the planet
303 00:28:04,432 00:28:06,684 as there were when I was born. as there were when I was born.
304 00:28:08,520 00:28:14,692 You and I belong to the most widespread and dominant species of animal on earth. You and I belong to the most widespread and dominant species of animal on earth.
305 00:28:14,776 00:28:17,862 We're certainly the most numerous large animal. We're certainly the most numerous large animal.
306 00:28:17,946 00:28:22,200 There are something like 4,000 million of us today, There are something like 4,000 million of us today,
307 00:28:22,283 00:28:26,121 and we've reached this position with meteoric speed. and we've reached this position with meteoric speed.
308 00:28:26,788 00:28:30,542 It's all happened within the last 2,000 years or so. It's all happened within the last 2,000 years or so.
309 00:28:30,625 00:28:35,004 We seem to have broken loose from the restrictions We seem to have broken loose from the restrictions
310 00:28:35,088 00:28:39,008 that have governed the activities and numbers of other animals. that have governed the activities and numbers of other animals.
311 00:28:46,808 00:28:48,560 [Attenborough] We had broken loose. [Attenborough] We had broken loose.
312 00:28:49,519 00:28:53,189 We were apart from the rest of life on earth, We were apart from the rest of life on earth,
313 00:28:54,691 00:28:57,193 living a different kind of life. living a different kind of life.
314 00:29:00,989 00:29:03,783 Our predators had been eliminated. Our predators had been eliminated.
315 00:29:06,453 00:29:09,289 Most of our diseases were under control. Most of our diseases were under control.
316 00:29:11,207 00:29:14,753 We had worked out how to produce food to order. We had worked out how to produce food to order.
317 00:29:17,130 00:29:20,383 There was nothing left to restrict us. There was nothing left to restrict us.
318 00:29:21,176 00:29:23,136 Nothing to stop us. Nothing to stop us.
319 00:29:24,387 00:29:26,431 Unless we stopped ourselves... Unless we stopped ourselves...
320 00:29:27,557 00:29:32,187 we would keep consuming the earth until we had used it up. we would keep consuming the earth until we had used it up.
321 00:29:35,106 00:29:38,693 Saving individual species or even groups of species Saving individual species or even groups of species
322 00:29:38,776 00:29:40,528 would not be enough. would not be enough.
323 00:29:40,612 00:29:43,948 Whole habitats would soon start to disappear. Whole habitats would soon start to disappear.
324 00:30:12,060 00:30:18,107 I first witnessed the destruction of an entire habitat in Southeast Asia. I first witnessed the destruction of an entire habitat in Southeast Asia.
325 00:30:19,025 00:30:24,197 In the 1950s, Borneo was three-quarters covered with rainforest. In the 1950s, Borneo was three-quarters covered with rainforest.
326 00:30:24,781 00:30:26,908 [young Attenborough] We heard a crashing in the branches ahead. [young Attenborough] We heard a crashing in the branches ahead.
327 00:30:28,243 00:30:30,912 And there, only a few yards away, And there, only a few yards away,
328 00:30:30,995 00:30:35,875 we spotted a great furry red form swaying in the trees. we spotted a great furry red form swaying in the trees.
329 00:30:37,001 00:30:38,169 The orangutan. The orangutan.
330 00:30:41,840 00:30:43,341 [Attenborough] By the end of the century, [Attenborough] By the end of the century,
331 00:30:43,424 00:30:47,595 Borneo's rainforest had been reduced by half. Borneo's rainforest had been reduced by half.
332 00:30:53,643 00:30:57,313 Rainforests are particularly precious habitats. Rainforests are particularly precious habitats.
333 00:30:58,147 00:30:59,399 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
334 00:30:59,482 00:31:03,069 More than half of the species on land live here. More than half of the species on land live here.
335 00:31:07,824 00:31:12,745 They're places in which evolution's talent for design soars. They're places in which evolution's talent for design soars.
336 00:31:27,510 00:31:29,637 [birds squawking] [birds squawking]
337 00:31:37,061 00:31:40,273 [clicking] [clicking]
338 00:31:57,832 00:32:03,379 Many of the millions of species in the forest exist in small numbers. Many of the millions of species in the forest exist in small numbers.
339 00:32:06,007 00:32:09,344 Every one has a critical role to play. Every one has a critical role to play.
340 00:32:14,390 00:32:18,436 Orangutan mothers have to spend ten years with their young, Orangutan mothers have to spend ten years with their young,
341 00:32:18,519 00:32:22,315 teaching them which fruits are worth eating. teaching them which fruits are worth eating.
342 00:32:25,652 00:32:27,070 Without this training, Without this training,
343 00:32:27,153 00:32:30,907 they would not complete their role in dispersing seeds. they would not complete their role in dispersing seeds.
344 00:32:32,367 00:32:36,829 The future generations of many tree species would be at risk. The future generations of many tree species would be at risk.
345 00:32:37,789 00:32:42,335 And tree diversity is the key to a rainforest. And tree diversity is the key to a rainforest.
346 00:32:42,418 00:32:46,005 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
347 00:32:46,089 00:32:49,050 In a single small patch of tropical rainforest, In a single small patch of tropical rainforest,
348 00:32:49,133 00:32:52,345 there could be 700 different species of tree, there could be 700 different species of tree,
349 00:32:52,428 00:32:56,099 as many as there are in the whole of North America. as many as there are in the whole of North America.
350 00:32:57,058 00:33:03,523 And yet, this is what we've been turning this dizzying diversity into. And yet, this is what we've been turning this dizzying diversity into.
351 00:33:05,024 00:33:08,069 A monoculture of oil palm. A monoculture of oil palm.
352 00:33:11,614 00:33:15,827 A habitat that is dead in comparison. A habitat that is dead in comparison.
353 00:33:19,455 00:33:23,960 And you see this curtain of green with occasionally birds in it, And you see this curtain of green with occasionally birds in it,
354 00:33:25,420 00:33:27,839 and you think it's perhaps okay. and you think it's perhaps okay.
355 00:33:27,922 00:33:29,340 But if you get in a helicopter, But if you get in a helicopter,
356 00:33:29,424 00:33:32,760 you see that that is a strip about half a mile wide. you see that that is a strip about half a mile wide.
357 00:33:33,594 00:33:35,221 And beyond that strip, And beyond that strip,
358 00:33:35,304 00:33:40,560 there is nothing but regimented rows of oil palms. there is nothing but regimented rows of oil palms.
359 00:33:49,652 00:33:53,531 There is a double incentive to cut down forests. There is a double incentive to cut down forests.
360 00:33:55,491 00:33:57,243 People benefit from the timber... People benefit from the timber...
361 00:33:57,827 00:34:02,123 and then benefit again from farming the land that's left behind. and then benefit again from farming the land that's left behind.
362 00:34:03,249 00:34:05,585 [chainsaw revs] [chainsaw revs]
363 00:34:15,845 00:34:21,476 Which is why we've cut down three trillion trees across the world. Which is why we've cut down three trillion trees across the world.
364 00:34:21,559 00:34:25,980 Half of the world's rainforests have already been cleared. Half of the world's rainforests have already been cleared.
365 00:34:35,656 00:34:37,241 What we see happening today What we see happening today
366 00:34:37,325 00:34:42,371 is just the latest chapter in a global process spanning millennia. is just the latest chapter in a global process spanning millennia.
367 00:34:48,753 00:34:53,716 The deforestation of Borneo has reduced the population of orangutan The deforestation of Borneo has reduced the population of orangutan
368 00:34:53,800 00:34:59,180 by two-thirds since I first saw one just over 60 years ago. by two-thirds since I first saw one just over 60 years ago.
369 00:35:06,437 00:35:09,190 We can't cut down rainforests forever, We can't cut down rainforests forever,
370 00:35:09,273 00:35:13,945 and anything that we can't do forever is by definition unsustainable. and anything that we can't do forever is by definition unsustainable.
371 00:35:15,113 00:35:18,074 If we do things that are unsustainable, If we do things that are unsustainable,
372 00:35:18,157 00:35:24,205 the damage accumulates ultimately to a point where the whole system collapses. the damage accumulates ultimately to a point where the whole system collapses.
373 00:35:25,665 00:35:29,585 No ecosystem, no matter how big, is secure. No ecosystem, no matter how big, is secure.
374 00:35:32,046 00:35:35,216 Even one as vast as the ocean. Even one as vast as the ocean.
375 00:35:39,971 00:35:44,559 This habitat was the subject of the series The Blue Planet, This habitat was the subject of the series The Blue Planet,
376 00:35:44,642 00:35:47,270 which we were filming in the late '90s. which we were filming in the late '90s.
377 00:36:01,200 00:36:06,664 It was... an astonishing vision of a completely unknown world, It was... an astonishing vision of a completely unknown world,
378 00:36:06,747 00:36:10,877 a world that had existed since the beginning of time. a world that had existed since the beginning of time.
379 00:36:18,968 00:36:22,388 All sorts of things that you had no idea had ever existed, All sorts of things that you had no idea had ever existed,
380 00:36:22,471 00:36:26,767 all in a multitude of colors, all unbelievably beautiful. all in a multitude of colors, all unbelievably beautiful.
381 00:36:30,771 00:36:35,568 And all of them completely undisturbed by your presence. And all of them completely undisturbed by your presence.
382 00:36:43,784 00:36:47,872 For much of its expanse, the ocean is largely empty. For much of its expanse, the ocean is largely empty.
383 00:36:49,790 00:36:53,127 But in certain places, there are hot spots But in certain places, there are hot spots
384 00:36:53,211 00:36:55,922 where currents bring nutrients to the surface where currents bring nutrients to the surface
385 00:36:56,005 00:36:59,258 and trigger an explosion of life. and trigger an explosion of life.
386 00:37:05,097 00:37:09,101 In such places, huge shoals of fish gather. In such places, huge shoals of fish gather.
387 00:37:17,276 00:37:19,779 The problem is that our fishing fleets The problem is that our fishing fleets
388 00:37:19,862 00:37:24,116 are just as good at finding those hot spots as are the fish. are just as good at finding those hot spots as are the fish.
389 00:37:25,993 00:37:31,457 When they do, they're able to gather the concentrated shoals with ease. When they do, they're able to gather the concentrated shoals with ease.
390 00:37:35,461 00:37:38,756 It was only in the '50s that large fleets It was only in the '50s that large fleets
391 00:37:38,839 00:37:42,301 first ventured out into international waters... first ventured out into international waters...
392 00:37:43,177 00:37:46,806 to reap the open ocean harvest across the globe. to reap the open ocean harvest across the globe.
393 00:37:49,058 00:37:53,896 Yet, they've removed 90% of the large fish in the sea. Yet, they've removed 90% of the large fish in the sea.
394 00:38:01,654 00:38:05,199 At first, they caught plenty of fish in their nets. At first, they caught plenty of fish in their nets.
395 00:38:06,450 00:38:09,078 But within only a few years, But within only a few years,
396 00:38:09,161 00:38:13,457 the nets across the globe were coming in empty. the nets across the globe were coming in empty.
397 00:38:15,126 00:38:17,962 The fishing quickly became so poor The fishing quickly became so poor
398 00:38:18,462 00:38:23,050 that countries began to subsidize the fleets to maintain the industry. that countries began to subsidize the fleets to maintain the industry.
399 00:38:28,180 00:38:31,726 Without large fish and other marine predators, Without large fish and other marine predators,
400 00:38:31,809 00:38:35,062 the oceanic nutrient cycle stutters. the oceanic nutrient cycle stutters.
401 00:38:41,861 00:38:46,532 The predators help to keep nutrients in the ocean's sunlit waters, The predators help to keep nutrients in the ocean's sunlit waters,
402 00:38:46,615 00:38:51,245 recycling them so that they can be used again and again by plankton. recycling them so that they can be used again and again by plankton.
403 00:38:56,042 00:38:57,335 Without predators, Without predators,
404 00:38:57,418 00:39:00,629 nutrients are lost for centuries to the depths nutrients are lost for centuries to the depths
405 00:39:00,713 00:39:03,924 and the hot spots start to diminish. and the hot spots start to diminish.
406 00:39:05,092 00:39:07,595 The ocean starts to die. The ocean starts to die.
407 00:39:13,017 00:39:17,480 Ocean life was also unravelling in the shallows. Ocean life was also unravelling in the shallows.
408 00:39:23,027 00:39:26,405 In 1998, a Blue Planet film crew In 1998, a Blue Planet film crew
409 00:39:26,489 00:39:29,825 stumbled on an event little known at the time. stumbled on an event little known at the time.
410 00:39:33,496 00:39:36,832 Coral reefs were turning white. Coral reefs were turning white.
411 00:39:41,170 00:39:45,383 The white color is caused by corals expelling algae The white color is caused by corals expelling algae
412 00:39:45,466 00:39:48,552 that lives symbiotically within their body. that lives symbiotically within their body.
413 00:39:55,768 00:39:57,269 When you first see it, When you first see it,
414 00:39:57,353 00:40:01,482 you think perhaps that it's beautiful, and suddenly you realize it's tragic. you think perhaps that it's beautiful, and suddenly you realize it's tragic.
415 00:40:02,108 00:40:04,819 Because what you're looking at is skeletons. Because what you're looking at is skeletons.
416 00:40:04,902 00:40:07,321 Skeletons of dead creatures. Skeletons of dead creatures.
417 00:40:15,121 00:40:19,083 The white corals are ultimately smothered by seaweed. The white corals are ultimately smothered by seaweed.
418 00:40:19,750 00:40:25,423 And the reef turns from wonderland... to wasteland. And the reef turns from wonderland... to wasteland.
419 00:40:30,344 00:40:33,722 At first, the cause of the bleaching was a mystery. At first, the cause of the bleaching was a mystery.
420 00:40:33,806 00:40:38,519 But scientists started to discover that in many cases where bleaching occurred, But scientists started to discover that in many cases where bleaching occurred,
421 00:40:39,103 00:40:41,105 the ocean was warming. the ocean was warming.
422 00:40:42,106 00:40:43,107 For some time, For some time,
423 00:40:43,190 00:40:46,735 climate scientists had warned that the planet would get warmer climate scientists had warned that the planet would get warmer
424 00:40:46,819 00:40:50,823 as we burned fossil fuels and released carbon dioxide as we burned fossil fuels and released carbon dioxide
425 00:40:50,906 00:40:54,285 and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
426 00:40:57,788 00:41:00,040 A marked change in atmospheric carbon A marked change in atmospheric carbon
427 00:41:00,124 00:41:03,669 has always been incompatible with a stable earth. has always been incompatible with a stable earth.
428 00:41:04,462 00:41:08,299 It was a feature of all five mass extinctions. It was a feature of all five mass extinctions.
429 00:41:13,345 00:41:14,388 In previous events, In previous events,
430 00:41:14,471 00:41:19,226 it had taken volcanic activity up to one million years it had taken volcanic activity up to one million years
431 00:41:19,310 00:41:22,104 to dredge up enough carbon from within the earth to dredge up enough carbon from within the earth
432 00:41:22,188 00:41:24,064 to trigger a catastrophe. to trigger a catastrophe.
433 00:41:26,358 00:41:29,862 By burning millions of years' worth of living organisms By burning millions of years' worth of living organisms
434 00:41:29,945 00:41:33,157 all at once as coal and oil, all at once as coal and oil,
435 00:41:33,240 00:41:37,286 we had managed to do so in less than 200. we had managed to do so in less than 200.
436 00:41:39,288 00:41:43,709 The global air temperature had been relatively stable till the '90s. The global air temperature had been relatively stable till the '90s.
437 00:41:44,210 00:41:47,254 But it now appeared this was only because the ocean But it now appeared this was only because the ocean
438 00:41:47,338 00:41:52,009 was absorbing much of the excess heat, masking our impact. was absorbing much of the excess heat, masking our impact.
439 00:41:55,304 00:41:57,473 It was the first indication to me It was the first indication to me
440 00:41:57,556 00:42:01,185 that the earth was beginning to lose its balance. that the earth was beginning to lose its balance.
441 00:42:09,360 00:42:11,862 The most remote habitat of all The most remote habitat of all
442 00:42:11,946 00:42:15,824 exists at the extreme north and south of the planet. exists at the extreme north and south of the planet.
443 00:42:20,412 00:42:24,291 I've visited the polar regions over many decades. I've visited the polar regions over many decades.
444 00:42:24,375 00:42:26,085 [imperceptible] [imperceptible]
445 00:42:28,754 00:42:32,299 They've always been a place beyond imagination... They've always been a place beyond imagination...
446 00:42:32,883 00:42:36,095 with scenery unlike anything else on earth... with scenery unlike anything else on earth...
447 00:42:37,763 00:42:42,851 and unique species adapted to a life in the extreme. and unique species adapted to a life in the extreme.
448 00:42:46,605 00:42:48,899 But that distant world is changing. But that distant world is changing.
449 00:42:51,986 00:42:56,991 In my time, I've experienced the warming of Arctic summers. In my time, I've experienced the warming of Arctic summers.
450 00:42:59,660 00:43:01,704 We have arrived at locations We have arrived at locations
451 00:43:01,787 00:43:05,916 expecting to find expanses of sea ice and found none. expecting to find expanses of sea ice and found none.
452 00:43:09,128 00:43:11,046 We've managed to travel by boat We've managed to travel by boat
453 00:43:11,130 00:43:14,633 to islands that were impossible to get to historically to islands that were impossible to get to historically
454 00:43:14,717 00:43:17,678 because they were permanently locked in the ice. because they were permanently locked in the ice.
455 00:43:20,681 00:43:25,769 By the time Frozen Planet aired in 2011, By the time Frozen Planet aired in 2011,
456 00:43:25,853 00:43:28,981 the reasons for these changes was well established. the reasons for these changes was well established.
457 00:43:33,819 00:43:37,448 The ocean has long since become unable to absorb The ocean has long since become unable to absorb
458 00:43:37,531 00:43:41,702 all the excess heat caused by our activities. all the excess heat caused by our activities.
459 00:43:42,578 00:43:45,831 As a result, the average global temperature today As a result, the average global temperature today
460 00:43:45,914 00:43:50,377 is one degree Celsius warmer than it was when I was born. is one degree Celsius warmer than it was when I was born.
461 00:43:55,924 00:44:01,180 A speed of change that exceeds any in the last 10,000 years. A speed of change that exceeds any in the last 10,000 years.
462 00:44:08,604 00:44:14,318 Summer sea ice in the Arctic has reduced by 40% in 40 years. Summer sea ice in the Arctic has reduced by 40% in 40 years.
463 00:44:16,612 00:44:19,281 Our planet is losing its ice. Our planet is losing its ice.
464 00:44:25,204 00:44:31,085 This most pristine and distant of ecosystems is headed for disaster. This most pristine and distant of ecosystems is headed for disaster.
465 00:44:49,186 00:44:52,439 Our imprint is now truly global. Our imprint is now truly global.
466 00:44:53,232 00:44:56,360 Our impact now truly profound. Our impact now truly profound.
467 00:44:56,944 00:44:58,821 Our blind assault on the planet Our blind assault on the planet
468 00:44:58,904 00:45:03,534 has finally come to alter the very fundamentals of the living world. has finally come to alter the very fundamentals of the living world.
469 00:45:12,042 00:45:17,131 We have overfished 30% of fish stocks to critical levels. We have overfished 30% of fish stocks to critical levels.
470 00:45:19,675 00:45:24,054 We cut down over 15 billion trees each year. We cut down over 15 billion trees each year.
471 00:45:24,138 00:45:26,473 [warbling] [warbling]
472 00:45:26,557 00:45:31,311 By damming, polluting, and over-extracting rivers and lakes, By damming, polluting, and over-extracting rivers and lakes,
473 00:45:31,395 00:45:37,067 we've reduced the size of freshwater populations by over 80%. we've reduced the size of freshwater populations by over 80%.
474 00:45:37,860 00:45:41,488 We're replacing the wild with the tame. We're replacing the wild with the tame.
475 00:45:45,784 00:45:50,998 Half of the fertile land on earth is now farmland. Half of the fertile land on earth is now farmland.
476 00:45:57,588 00:46:03,260 70% of the mass of birds on this planet are domestic birds. 70% of the mass of birds on this planet are domestic birds.
477 00:46:03,844 00:46:06,763 The vast majority, chickens. The vast majority, chickens.
478 00:46:10,767 00:46:15,939 We account for over one-third of the weight of mammals on earth. We account for over one-third of the weight of mammals on earth.
479 00:46:16,899 00:46:21,111 A further 60% are the animals we raise to eat. A further 60% are the animals we raise to eat.
480 00:46:26,366 00:46:31,538 The rest, from mice to whales, make up just 4%. The rest, from mice to whales, make up just 4%.
481 00:46:34,917 00:46:37,669 This is now our planet, This is now our planet,
482 00:46:37,753 00:46:41,048 run by humankind for humankind. run by humankind for humankind.
483 00:46:41,131 00:46:44,718 There is little left for the rest of the living world. There is little left for the rest of the living world.
484 00:46:51,099 00:46:54,186 Since I started filming in the 1950s, Since I started filming in the 1950s,
485 00:46:54,269 00:46:59,858 on average, wild animal populations have more than halved. on average, wild animal populations have more than halved.
486 00:47:02,653 00:47:05,989 I look at these images now and I realize that, I look at these images now and I realize that,
487 00:47:06,073 00:47:09,576 although as a young man I felt I was out there in the wild although as a young man I felt I was out there in the wild
488 00:47:09,660 00:47:13,247 experiencing the untouched natural world... experiencing the untouched natural world...
489 00:47:13,830 00:47:14,957 it was an illusion. it was an illusion.
490 00:47:17,292 00:47:22,214 Those forests and plains and seas were already emptying. Those forests and plains and seas were already emptying.
491 00:47:27,261 00:47:30,264 Um, so, the world is not as wild as it was. Um, so, the world is not as wild as it was.
492 00:47:31,598 00:47:35,060 Well, we've destroyed it. Not just ruined it. Well, we've destroyed it. Not just ruined it.
493 00:47:35,143 00:47:39,481 I mean, we have completely... well, destroyed that world. I mean, we have completely... well, destroyed that world.
494 00:47:39,565 00:47:42,776 That non-human world is gone. That non-human world is gone.
495 00:47:43,443 00:47:47,197 Uh... The... Human beings have overrun the world. Uh... The... Human beings have overrun the world.
496 00:48:29,323 00:48:32,784 That is my witness statement. That is my witness statement.
497 00:48:33,452 00:48:38,290 A story of global decline during a single lifetime. A story of global decline during a single lifetime.
498 00:48:43,253 00:48:45,547 But it doesn't end there. But it doesn't end there.
499 00:48:47,299 00:48:49,551 If we continue on our current course, If we continue on our current course,
500 00:48:49,635 00:48:53,764 the damage that has been the defining feature of my lifetime the damage that has been the defining feature of my lifetime
501 00:48:53,847 00:48:58,268 will be eclipsed by the damage coming in the next. will be eclipsed by the damage coming in the next.
502 00:49:09,946 00:49:14,534 Science predicts that were I born today, Science predicts that were I born today,
503 00:49:15,118 00:49:17,829 I would be witness to the following. I would be witness to the following.
504 00:49:22,834 00:49:29,091 The Amazon Rainforest, cut down until it can no longer produce enough moisture, The Amazon Rainforest, cut down until it can no longer produce enough moisture,
505 00:49:29,925 00:49:32,386 degrades into a dry savannah, degrades into a dry savannah,
506 00:49:32,969 00:49:35,764 bringing catastrophic species loss... bringing catastrophic species loss...
507 00:49:36,973 00:49:40,394 and altering the global water cycle. and altering the global water cycle.
508 00:49:47,067 00:49:51,947 At the same time, the Arctic becomes ice-free in the summer. At the same time, the Arctic becomes ice-free in the summer.
509 00:49:54,574 00:49:56,743 Without the white ice cap, Without the white ice cap,
510 00:49:56,827 00:50:00,539 less of the sun's energy is reflected back out to space. less of the sun's energy is reflected back out to space.
511 00:50:01,873 00:50:05,419 And the speed of global warming increases. And the speed of global warming increases.
512 00:50:11,800 00:50:17,681 Throughout the north, frozen soils thaw, releasing methane, Throughout the north, frozen soils thaw, releasing methane,
513 00:50:18,181 00:50:22,853 a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas many times more potent than carbon dioxide,
514 00:50:23,979 00:50:28,066 accelerating the rate of climate change dramatically. accelerating the rate of climate change dramatically.
515 00:50:35,699 00:50:39,619 As the ocean continues to heat and becomes more acidic, As the ocean continues to heat and becomes more acidic,
516 00:50:39,703 00:50:42,914 coral reefs around the world die. coral reefs around the world die.
517 00:50:46,543 00:50:49,463 Fish populations crash. Fish populations crash.
518 00:50:58,221 00:51:04,186 Global food production enters a crisis as soils become exhausted by overuse. Global food production enters a crisis as soils become exhausted by overuse.
519 00:51:13,320 00:51:15,655 Pollinating insects disappear. Pollinating insects disappear.
520 00:51:17,157 00:51:18,116 [thunder rumbling] [thunder rumbling]
521 00:51:18,200 00:51:21,536 And the weather is more and more unpredictable. And the weather is more and more unpredictable.
522 00:51:27,209 00:51:31,046 Our planet becomes four degrees Celsius warmer. Our planet becomes four degrees Celsius warmer.
523 00:51:33,215 00:51:37,427 Large parts of the earth are uninhabitable. Large parts of the earth are uninhabitable.
524 00:51:40,263 00:51:43,475 Millions of people rendered homeless. Millions of people rendered homeless.
525 00:51:46,937 00:51:49,815 A sixth mass extinction event... A sixth mass extinction event...
526 00:51:50,899 00:51:52,651 is well underway. is well underway.
527 00:51:59,032 00:52:02,869 This is a series of one-way doors... This is a series of one-way doors...
528 00:52:04,120 00:52:06,706 bringing irreversible change. bringing irreversible change.
529 00:52:08,750 00:52:11,294 Within the span of the next lifetime, Within the span of the next lifetime,
530 00:52:12,170 00:52:15,423 the security and stability of the Holocene, the security and stability of the Holocene,
531 00:52:16,842 00:52:18,927 our Garden of Eden... our Garden of Eden...
532 00:52:20,595 00:52:21,930 will be lost. will be lost.
533 00:52:31,231 00:52:37,237 Right now, we're facing a manmade disaster of global scale. Right now, we're facing a manmade disaster of global scale.
534 00:52:38,488 00:52:40,907 Our greatest threat in thousands of years. Our greatest threat in thousands of years.
535 00:52:41,908 00:52:43,493 If we don't take action, If we don't take action,
536 00:52:44,077 00:52:46,580 the collapse of our civilizations the collapse of our civilizations
537 00:52:47,330 00:52:52,794 and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon. and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.
538 00:52:53,461 00:52:55,088 But the longer we leave it, But the longer we leave it,
539 00:52:55,589 00:52:59,092 the more difficult it'll be to do something about it. the more difficult it'll be to do something about it.
540 00:52:59,801 00:53:01,720 And you could happily retire. And you could happily retire.
541 00:53:03,096 00:53:09,561 But you now want to explain to us what peril we are in. But you now want to explain to us what peril we are in.
542 00:53:10,645 00:53:11,897 Um... Um...
543 00:53:11,980 00:53:17,527 and, in a way, I wish I wasn't involved in this struggle. and, in a way, I wish I wasn't involved in this struggle.
544 00:53:17,611 00:53:18,612 [chuckles] [chuckles]
545 00:53:18,695 00:53:21,364 Because I wish the struggle wasn't there or necessary. Because I wish the struggle wasn't there or necessary.
546 00:53:21,865 00:53:26,119 But I've had unbelievable luck and good fortune. But I've had unbelievable luck and good fortune.
547 00:53:26,620 00:53:31,666 Um, and I certainly would feel very guilty... Um, and I certainly would feel very guilty...
548 00:53:32,626 00:53:38,048 if I saw what the problems are and decided to ignore them. if I saw what the problems are and decided to ignore them.
549 00:53:38,131 00:53:39,633 [audience applauding] [audience applauding]
550 00:53:41,259 00:53:43,470 [Attenborough on video] Climbing over the tightly-packed bodies [Attenborough on video] Climbing over the tightly-packed bodies
551 00:53:43,553 00:53:45,889 is the only way across the crowd. is the only way across the crowd.
552 00:53:45,972 00:53:47,432 [groaning] [groaning]
553 00:53:47,515 00:53:50,060 Those beneath can get crushed to death. Those beneath can get crushed to death.
554 00:53:56,191 00:53:57,317 [walruses groaning] [walruses groaning]
555 00:54:07,494 00:54:12,749 [Attenborough] We are facing nothing less than the collapse of the living world. [Attenborough] We are facing nothing less than the collapse of the living world.
556 00:54:14,584 00:54:18,004 The very thing that gave birth to our civilization. The very thing that gave birth to our civilization.
557 00:54:19,422 00:54:23,718 The thing we rely upon for every element of the lives we lead. The thing we rely upon for every element of the lives we lead.
558 00:54:27,055 00:54:29,182 No one wants this to happen. No one wants this to happen.
559 00:54:29,849 00:54:33,061 None of us can afford for it to happen. None of us can afford for it to happen.
560 00:54:36,564 00:54:38,400 So, what do we do? So, what do we do?
561 00:54:40,694 00:54:42,404 It's quite straightforward. It's quite straightforward.
562 00:54:43,363 00:54:46,199 It's been staring us in the face all along. It's been staring us in the face all along.
563 00:54:48,576 00:54:50,870 To restore stability to our planet, To restore stability to our planet,
564 00:54:51,788 00:54:54,416 we must restore its biodiversity. we must restore its biodiversity.
565 00:54:56,751 00:54:59,129 The very thing that we've removed. The very thing that we've removed.
566 00:55:03,466 00:55:07,470 It's the only way out of this crisis we have created. It's the only way out of this crisis we have created.
567 00:55:10,306 00:55:13,685 We must rewild the world. We must rewild the world.
568 00:55:13,768 00:55:16,146 [uplifting music playing] [uplifting music playing]
569 00:55:16,229 00:55:17,856 [reindeer grunting] [reindeer grunting]
570 00:55:20,316 00:55:22,235 [birds hooting] [birds hooting]
571 00:55:30,827 00:55:32,412 [buffalo snorting] [buffalo snorting]
572 00:55:38,543 00:55:40,336 [birds cawing] [birds cawing]
573 00:55:45,175 00:55:47,177 [elephants trumpeting] [elephants trumpeting]
574 00:55:53,600 00:55:57,520 Rewilding the world is simpler than you might think. Rewilding the world is simpler than you might think.
575 00:55:58,188 00:55:59,898 And the changes we have to make And the changes we have to make
576 00:55:59,981 00:56:03,943 will only benefit ourselves and the generations that follow. will only benefit ourselves and the generations that follow.
577 00:56:05,111 00:56:09,407 A century from now, our planet could be a wild place again. A century from now, our planet could be a wild place again.
578 00:56:10,200 00:56:12,077 And I'm going to tell you how. And I'm going to tell you how.
579 00:56:13,745 00:56:16,081 [cawing and chirping] [cawing and chirping]
580 00:56:19,834 00:56:25,757 Every other species on Earth reaches a maximum population after a time. Every other species on Earth reaches a maximum population after a time.
581 00:56:27,133 00:56:31,346 The number that can be sustained on the natural resources available. The number that can be sustained on the natural resources available.
582 00:56:34,265 00:56:35,767 With nothing to restrict us, With nothing to restrict us,
583 00:56:35,850 00:56:40,188 our population has been growing dramatically throughout my lifetime. our population has been growing dramatically throughout my lifetime.
584 00:56:40,271 00:56:41,439 [crowd chanting] [crowd chanting]
585 00:56:41,523 00:56:43,149 On current projections, On current projections,
586 00:56:43,233 00:56:48,947 there will be 11 billion people on Earth by 2100. there will be 11 billion people on Earth by 2100.
587 00:56:49,823 00:56:51,616 But it's possible to slow, But it's possible to slow,
588 00:56:51,699 00:56:56,996 even to stop population growth well before it reaches that point. even to stop population growth well before it reaches that point.
589 00:57:01,751 00:57:03,711 Japan's standard of living Japan's standard of living
590 00:57:03,795 00:57:07,382 climbed rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century. climbed rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century.
591 00:57:08,675 00:57:11,511 As healthcare and education improved, As healthcare and education improved,
592 00:57:11,594 00:57:15,098 people's expectations and opportunities grew, people's expectations and opportunities grew,
593 00:57:15,181 00:57:17,517 and the birth rate fell. and the birth rate fell.
594 00:57:19,144 00:57:24,816 In 1950, a Japanese family was likely to have three or more children. In 1950, a Japanese family was likely to have three or more children.
595 00:57:26,025 00:57:29,988 By 1975, the average was two. By 1975, the average was two.
596 00:57:33,116 00:57:36,744 The result is that the population has now stabilized The result is that the population has now stabilized
597 00:57:36,828 00:57:40,039 and has hardly changed since the millennium. and has hardly changed since the millennium.
598 00:57:41,916 00:57:45,795 There are signs that this has started to happen across the globe. There are signs that this has started to happen across the globe.
599 00:57:48,548 00:57:53,136 As nations develop everywhere, people choose to have fewer children. As nations develop everywhere, people choose to have fewer children.
600 00:57:57,557 00:58:00,935 The number of children being born worldwide every year The number of children being born worldwide every year
601 00:58:01,519 00:58:03,646 is about to level off. is about to level off.
602 00:58:05,732 00:58:08,276 A key reason the population is still growing A key reason the population is still growing
603 00:58:08,902 00:58:10,904 is because many of us are living longer. is because many of us are living longer.
604 00:58:13,531 00:58:15,200 At some point in the future, At some point in the future,
605 00:58:15,700 00:58:19,913 the human population will peak for the very first time. the human population will peak for the very first time.
606 00:58:21,164 00:58:22,665 The sooner it happens, The sooner it happens,
607 00:58:22,749 00:58:26,336 the easier it makes everything else we have to do. the easier it makes everything else we have to do.
608 00:58:26,419 00:58:28,338 [crowd cheering] [crowd cheering]
609 00:58:30,715 00:58:33,676 [Attenborough] By working hard to raise people out of poverty, [Attenborough] By working hard to raise people out of poverty,
610 00:58:34,385 00:58:37,096 giving all access to healthcare, giving all access to healthcare,
611 00:58:37,764 00:58:42,560 and enabling girls in particular to stay in school as long as possible, and enabling girls in particular to stay in school as long as possible,
612 00:58:42,644 00:58:46,731 we can make it peak sooner and at a lower level. we can make it peak sooner and at a lower level.
613 00:58:48,566 00:58:51,027 Why wouldn't we want to do these things? Why wouldn't we want to do these things?
614 00:58:51,110 00:58:53,238 Giving people a greater opportunity of life Giving people a greater opportunity of life
615 00:58:53,321 00:58:55,448 is what we would want to do anyway. is what we would want to do anyway.
616 00:58:56,115 00:59:00,286 The trick is to raise the standard of living around the world The trick is to raise the standard of living around the world
617 00:59:00,370 00:59:03,831 without increasing our impact on that world. without increasing our impact on that world.
618 00:59:03,915 00:59:05,500 That may sound impossible, That may sound impossible,
619 00:59:05,583 00:59:08,336 but there are ways in which we can do this. but there are ways in which we can do this.
620 00:59:17,762 00:59:21,558 The living world is essentially solar-powered. The living world is essentially solar-powered.
621 00:59:24,185 00:59:25,728 The earth's plants The earth's plants
622 00:59:25,812 00:59:30,817 capture three trillion kilowatt-hours of solar energy each day. capture three trillion kilowatt-hours of solar energy each day.
623 00:59:30,900 00:59:32,068 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
624 00:59:32,151 00:59:38,199 That's almost 20 times the energy we need... just from sunlight. That's almost 20 times the energy we need... just from sunlight.
625 00:59:42,704 00:59:46,040 Imagine if we phase out fossil fuels Imagine if we phase out fossil fuels
626 00:59:46,624 00:59:51,504 and run our world on the eternal energies of nature too. and run our world on the eternal energies of nature too.
627 00:59:52,505 00:59:57,594 Sunlight, wind, water and geothermal. Sunlight, wind, water and geothermal.
628 01:00:00,555 01:00:02,557 [indistinct chatter] [indistinct chatter]
629 01:00:03,933 01:00:05,852 [Attenborough] At the turn of the century, [Attenborough] At the turn of the century,
630 01:00:05,935 01:00:11,858 Morocco relied on imported oil and gas for almost all of its energy. Morocco relied on imported oil and gas for almost all of its energy.
631 01:00:12,692 01:00:16,613 Today, it generates 40% of its needs at home Today, it generates 40% of its needs at home
632 01:00:17,363 01:00:23,995 from a network of renewable power plants, including the world's largest solar farm. from a network of renewable power plants, including the world's largest solar farm.
633 01:00:27,999 01:00:29,625 Sitting on the edge of the Sahara, Sitting on the edge of the Sahara,
634 01:00:30,710 01:00:33,338 and cabled directly into southern Europe, and cabled directly into southern Europe,
635 01:00:33,921 01:00:40,345 Morocco could be an exporter of solar energy by 2050. Morocco could be an exporter of solar energy by 2050.
636 01:00:47,101 01:00:53,816 Within 20 years, renewables are predicted to be the world's main source of power. Within 20 years, renewables are predicted to be the world's main source of power.
637 01:00:55,151 01:00:58,071 But we can make them the only source. But we can make them the only source.
638 01:00:59,030 01:01:05,411 It's crazy that our banks and our pensions are investing in fossil fuel... It's crazy that our banks and our pensions are investing in fossil fuel...
639 01:01:06,371 01:01:08,164 when these are the very things when these are the very things
640 01:01:08,247 01:01:11,876 that are jeopardizing the future that we are saving for. that are jeopardizing the future that we are saving for.
641 01:01:12,377 01:01:13,961 [sirens wailing] [sirens wailing]
642 01:01:14,629 01:01:18,132 A renewable future will be full of benefits. A renewable future will be full of benefits.
643 01:01:18,883 01:01:22,095 Energy everywhere will be more affordable. Energy everywhere will be more affordable.
644 01:01:23,388 01:01:26,391 Our cities will be cleaner and quieter. Our cities will be cleaner and quieter.
645 01:01:27,600 01:01:30,770 And renewable energy will never run out. And renewable energy will never run out.
646 01:01:46,285 01:01:51,916 The living world can't operate without a healthy ocean and neither can we. The living world can't operate without a healthy ocean and neither can we.
647 01:01:58,464 01:02:03,553 The ocean is a critical ally in our battle to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. The ocean is a critical ally in our battle to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
648 01:02:06,514 01:02:10,893 The more diverse it is, the better it does that job. The more diverse it is, the better it does that job.
649 01:02:14,397 01:02:15,606 [whales singing] [whales singing]
650 01:02:28,453 01:02:34,041 And, of course, the ocean is important to all of us as a source of food. And, of course, the ocean is important to all of us as a source of food.
651 01:02:36,878 01:02:40,256 Fishing is world's greatest wild harvest. Fishing is world's greatest wild harvest.
652 01:02:40,339 01:02:43,634 And if we do it right, it can continue... And if we do it right, it can continue...
653 01:02:44,719 01:02:48,097 because there's a win-win at play. because there's a win-win at play.
654 01:02:49,098 01:02:51,142 The healthier the marine habitat, The healthier the marine habitat,
655 01:02:51,225 01:02:55,188 the more fish there will be, and the more there will be to eat. the more fish there will be, and the more there will be to eat.
656 01:03:02,653 01:03:06,365 Palau is a Pacific Island nation Palau is a Pacific Island nation
657 01:03:06,449 01:03:11,287 reliant on its coral reefs for fish and tourism. reliant on its coral reefs for fish and tourism.
658 01:03:15,500 01:03:17,835 When fish stocks began to reduce, When fish stocks began to reduce,
659 01:03:17,919 01:03:22,089 the Palauans responded by restricting fishing practices the Palauans responded by restricting fishing practices
660 01:03:22,173 01:03:26,010 and banning fishing entirely from many areas. and banning fishing entirely from many areas.
661 01:03:29,263 01:03:33,059 Protected fish populations soon became so healthy, Protected fish populations soon became so healthy,
662 01:03:33,142 01:03:36,729 they spilt over into the areas open to fishing. they spilt over into the areas open to fishing.
663 01:03:42,318 01:03:43,361 As a result, As a result,
664 01:03:43,444 01:03:47,698 the "no fish" zones have increased the catch of the local fishermen, the "no fish" zones have increased the catch of the local fishermen,
665 01:03:47,782 01:03:51,953 while at the same time allowing the reefs to recover. while at the same time allowing the reefs to recover.
666 01:03:56,832 01:04:01,462 Imagine if we committed to a similar approach across the world. Imagine if we committed to a similar approach across the world.
667 01:04:02,505 01:04:07,635 Estimates suggest that "no fish" zones over a third of our coastal seas Estimates suggest that "no fish" zones over a third of our coastal seas
668 01:04:07,718 01:04:12,557 would be sufficient to provide us with all the fish we will ever need. would be sufficient to provide us with all the fish we will ever need.
669 01:04:18,271 01:04:20,147 In international waters, In international waters,
670 01:04:20,231 01:04:25,861 the UN is attempting to create the biggest "no fish" zone of all. the UN is attempting to create the biggest "no fish" zone of all.
671 01:04:28,072 01:04:31,742 In one act, this would transform the open ocean In one act, this would transform the open ocean
672 01:04:31,826 01:04:35,621 from a place exhausted by subsidized fishing fleets from a place exhausted by subsidized fishing fleets
673 01:04:36,205 01:04:41,419 to a wilderness that will help us all in our efforts to combat climate change. to a wilderness that will help us all in our efforts to combat climate change.
674 01:04:43,087 01:04:45,798 The world's greatest wildlife reserve. The world's greatest wildlife reserve.
675 01:05:02,440 01:05:04,525 When it comes to the land, When it comes to the land,
676 01:05:04,609 01:05:08,279 we must radically reduce the area we use to farm, we must radically reduce the area we use to farm,
677 01:05:08,362 01:05:11,198 so that we can make space for returning wilderness. so that we can make space for returning wilderness.
678 01:05:11,282 01:05:16,329 And the quickest and most effective way to do that is for us to change our diet. And the quickest and most effective way to do that is for us to change our diet.
679 01:05:17,038 01:05:19,081 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
680 01:05:22,001 01:05:24,670 Large carnivores are rare in nature Large carnivores are rare in nature
681 01:05:24,754 01:05:28,424 because it takes a lot of prey to support each of them. because it takes a lot of prey to support each of them.
682 01:05:29,133 01:05:31,135 [wildebeest snorting] [wildebeest snorting]
683 01:05:35,097 01:05:38,184 For every single predator on the Serengeti, For every single predator on the Serengeti,
684 01:05:38,267 01:05:41,354 there are more than 100 prey animals. there are more than 100 prey animals.
685 01:05:41,437 01:05:43,439 [snorting] [snorting]
686 01:05:45,775 01:05:47,735 Whenever we choose a piece of meat, Whenever we choose a piece of meat,
687 01:05:47,818 01:05:52,948 we too are unwittingly demanding a huge expanse of space. we too are unwittingly demanding a huge expanse of space.
688 01:05:57,828 01:06:02,875 The planet can't support billions of large meat-eaters. The planet can't support billions of large meat-eaters.
689 01:06:03,376 01:06:05,127 There just isn't the space. There just isn't the space.
690 01:06:05,628 01:06:06,587 [dings] [dings]
691 01:06:09,674 01:06:12,760 If we all had a largely plant-based diet, If we all had a largely plant-based diet,
692 01:06:13,761 01:06:17,556 we would need only half the land we use at the moment. we would need only half the land we use at the moment.
693 01:06:19,141 01:06:23,145 And because we would be then dedicated to raising plants, And because we would be then dedicated to raising plants,
694 01:06:23,229 01:06:27,024 we could increase the yield of this land substantially. we could increase the yield of this land substantially.
695 01:06:32,863 01:06:37,952 The Netherlands is one of the world's most densely-populated countries. The Netherlands is one of the world's most densely-populated countries.
696 01:06:39,203 01:06:44,375 It's covered with small family-run farms with no room for expansion. It's covered with small family-run farms with no room for expansion.
697 01:06:47,294 01:06:52,842 So, Dutch farmers have become expert at getting the most out of every hectare. So, Dutch farmers have become expert at getting the most out of every hectare.
698 01:06:55,636 01:06:58,889 Increasingly, they're doing so sustainably. Increasingly, they're doing so sustainably.
699 01:07:02,184 01:07:08,441 Raising yields tenfold in two generations while at the same time using less water, Raising yields tenfold in two generations while at the same time using less water,
700 01:07:09,108 01:07:14,697 fewer pesticides, less fertilizer and emitting less carbon. fewer pesticides, less fertilizer and emitting less carbon.
701 01:07:19,493 01:07:20,703 Despite its size, Despite its size,
702 01:07:20,786 01:07:26,250 the Netherlands is now the world's second largest exporter of food. the Netherlands is now the world's second largest exporter of food.
703 01:07:30,796 01:07:36,761 It's entirely possible for us to apply both low-tech and hi-tech solutions It's entirely possible for us to apply both low-tech and hi-tech solutions
704 01:07:36,844 01:07:40,514 to produce much more food from much less land. to produce much more food from much less land.
705 01:07:42,725 01:07:46,312 We can start to produce food in new spaces. We can start to produce food in new spaces.
706 01:07:48,773 01:07:51,692 Indoors, within cities. Indoors, within cities.
707 01:07:55,029 01:07:58,365 Even in places where there's no land at all. Even in places where there's no land at all.
708 01:08:12,087 01:08:14,548 As we improve our approach to farming, As we improve our approach to farming,
709 01:08:14,632 01:08:18,761 we'll start to reverse the land-grab that we've been pursuing we'll start to reverse the land-grab that we've been pursuing
710 01:08:18,844 01:08:20,930 ever since we began to farm, ever since we began to farm,
711 01:08:21,639 01:08:27,728 which is essential because we have an urgent need for all that free land. which is essential because we have an urgent need for all that free land.
712 01:08:34,944 01:08:39,990 Forests are a fundamental component of our planet's recovery. Forests are a fundamental component of our planet's recovery.
713 01:08:41,617 01:08:46,330 They are the best technology nature has for locking away carbon. They are the best technology nature has for locking away carbon.
714 01:08:48,082 01:08:51,001 And they are centers of biodiversity. And they are centers of biodiversity.
715 01:08:55,172 01:08:58,175 Again, the two features work together. Again, the two features work together.
716 01:08:58,717 01:09:01,804 The wilder and more diverse forests are, The wilder and more diverse forests are,
717 01:09:01,887 01:09:06,350 the more effective they are at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. the more effective they are at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
718 01:09:08,018 01:09:12,773 We must immediately halt deforestation everywhere... We must immediately halt deforestation everywhere...
719 01:09:13,649 01:09:20,322 and grow crops like oil palm and soya only on land that was deforested long ago. and grow crops like oil palm and soya only on land that was deforested long ago.
720 01:09:21,448 01:09:24,118 After all, there's plenty of it. After all, there's plenty of it.
721 01:09:26,287 01:09:28,414 But we can do better than that. But we can do better than that.
722 01:09:32,042 01:09:37,756 A century ago, more than three quarters of Costa Rica was covered with forest. A century ago, more than three quarters of Costa Rica was covered with forest.
723 01:09:45,472 01:09:51,729 By the 1980s, uncontrolled logging had reduced this to just one quarter. By the 1980s, uncontrolled logging had reduced this to just one quarter.
724 01:09:54,607 01:09:56,567 The government decided to act, The government decided to act,
725 01:09:56,650 01:10:01,572 offering grants to land owners to replant native trees. offering grants to land owners to replant native trees.
726 01:10:06,035 01:10:08,162 In just 25 years, In just 25 years,
727 01:10:08,245 01:10:13,626 the forest has returned to cover half of Costa Rica once again. the forest has returned to cover half of Costa Rica once again.
728 01:10:14,293 01:10:16,420 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
729 01:10:18,881 01:10:23,093 Just imagine if we achieve this on a global scale. Just imagine if we achieve this on a global scale.
730 01:10:25,804 01:10:28,140 The return of the trees would absorb The return of the trees would absorb
731 01:10:28,224 01:10:31,310 as much as two thirds of the carbon emissions as much as two thirds of the carbon emissions
732 01:10:31,393 01:10:35,522 that have been pumped into the atmosphere by our activities to date. that have been pumped into the atmosphere by our activities to date.
733 01:10:43,113 01:10:44,823 With all these things, With all these things,
734 01:10:45,407 01:10:48,077 there is one overriding principle. there is one overriding principle.
735 01:10:50,996 01:10:56,335 Nature is our biggest ally and our greatest inspiration. Nature is our biggest ally and our greatest inspiration.
736 01:10:58,671 01:11:02,675 We just have to do what nature has always done. We just have to do what nature has always done.
737 01:11:04,301 01:11:08,555 It worked out the secret of life long ago. It worked out the secret of life long ago.
738 01:11:14,436 01:11:18,440 In this world, a species can only thrive... In this world, a species can only thrive...
739 01:11:19,858 01:11:23,862 when everything else around it thrives, too. when everything else around it thrives, too.
740 01:11:29,827 01:11:32,663 We can solve the problems we now face We can solve the problems we now face
741 01:11:32,746 01:11:35,708 by embracing this reality. by embracing this reality.
742 01:11:38,377 01:11:40,796 If we take care of nature, If we take care of nature,
743 01:11:42,298 01:11:45,300 nature will take care of us. nature will take care of us.
744 01:11:48,095 01:11:53,475 It's now time for our species to stop simply growing. It's now time for our species to stop simply growing.
745 01:11:55,436 01:12:00,774 To establish a life on our planet in balance with nature. To establish a life on our planet in balance with nature.
746 01:12:03,610 01:12:06,113 To start to thrive. To start to thrive.
747 01:12:09,533 01:12:13,370 When you think about it, we're completing a journey. When you think about it, we're completing a journey.
748 01:12:14,913 01:12:18,000 Ten thousand years ago, as hunter-gatherers, Ten thousand years ago, as hunter-gatherers,
749 01:12:18,709 01:12:23,047 we lived a sustainable life because that was the only option. we lived a sustainable life because that was the only option.
750 01:12:24,089 01:12:29,553 All these years later, it's once again the only option. All these years later, it's once again the only option.
751 01:12:29,636 01:12:31,930 We need to rediscover... We need to rediscover...
752 01:12:33,015 01:12:34,641 how to be sustainable. how to be sustainable.
753 01:12:34,725 01:12:38,645 To move from being apart from nature To move from being apart from nature
754 01:12:38,729 01:12:43,317 to becoming a part of nature once again. to becoming a part of nature once again.
755 01:12:48,447 01:12:51,325 Tonight, we've got a rather different program for you. Tonight, we've got a rather different program for you.
756 01:12:54,203 01:12:57,456 [Attenborough] If we can change the way we live on Earth, [Attenborough] If we can change the way we live on Earth,
757 01:12:58,457 01:13:01,293 an alternative future comes into view. an alternative future comes into view.
758 01:13:04,880 01:13:06,382 In this future, In this future,
759 01:13:06,965 01:13:13,430 we discover ways to benefit from our land that help, rather than hinder, wilderness. we discover ways to benefit from our land that help, rather than hinder, wilderness.
760 01:13:15,140 01:13:21,105 Ways to fish our seas that enable them to come quickly back to life. Ways to fish our seas that enable them to come quickly back to life.
761 01:13:27,694 01:13:32,199 And ways to harvest our forests sustainably. And ways to harvest our forests sustainably.
762 01:13:35,828 01:13:42,584 We will finally learn how to work with nature rather than against it. We will finally learn how to work with nature rather than against it.
763 01:13:45,254 01:13:49,716 In the end, after a lifetime's exploration of the living world, In the end, after a lifetime's exploration of the living world,
764 01:13:49,800 01:13:52,094 I'm certain of one thing. I'm certain of one thing.
765 01:13:53,011 01:13:55,973 This is not about saving our planet... This is not about saving our planet...
766 01:13:56,849 01:13:59,434 it's about saving ourselves. it's about saving ourselves.
767 01:14:04,189 01:14:10,529 The truth is, with or without us, the natural world will rebuild. The truth is, with or without us, the natural world will rebuild.
768 01:14:20,456 01:14:24,710 In the 30 years since the evacuation of Chernobyl, In the 30 years since the evacuation of Chernobyl,
769 01:14:25,377 01:14:29,006 the wild has reclaimed the space. the wild has reclaimed the space.
770 01:14:29,089 01:14:30,924 [birds chirping] [birds chirping]
771 01:14:40,267 01:14:44,354 Today, the forest has taken over the city. Today, the forest has taken over the city.
772 01:14:58,285 01:15:02,998 It's a sanctuary for wild animals that are very rare elsewhere. It's a sanctuary for wild animals that are very rare elsewhere.
773 01:15:09,713 01:15:14,760 And powerful evidence that however grave our mistakes, And powerful evidence that however grave our mistakes,
774 01:15:14,843 01:15:18,222 nature will ultimately overcome them. nature will ultimately overcome them.
775 01:15:22,726 01:15:25,604 The living world will endure. The living world will endure.
776 01:15:27,648 01:15:31,401 We humans cannot presume the same. We humans cannot presume the same.
777 01:15:34,238 01:15:35,781 We've come this far We've come this far
778 01:15:35,864 01:15:39,701 because we are the smartest creatures that have ever lived. because we are the smartest creatures that have ever lived.
779 01:15:44,456 01:15:49,169 But to continue, we require more than intelligence. But to continue, we require more than intelligence.
780 01:15:51,213 01:15:53,966 We require wisdom. We require wisdom.
781 01:16:07,437 01:16:11,900 There are many differences between humans and the rest of the species on earth, There are many differences between humans and the rest of the species on earth,
782 01:16:12,484 01:16:17,781 but one that has been expressed is that we alone are able to imagine the future. but one that has been expressed is that we alone are able to imagine the future.
783 01:16:19,116 01:16:23,078 For a long time, I and perhaps you have dreaded that future. For a long time, I and perhaps you have dreaded that future.
784 01:16:24,079 01:16:28,667 But it's now becoming apparent that it's not all doom and gloom. But it's now becoming apparent that it's not all doom and gloom.
785 01:16:29,751 01:16:32,170 There's a chance for us to make amends, There's a chance for us to make amends,
786 01:16:32,921 01:16:36,633 to complete our journey of development, manage our impact, to complete our journey of development, manage our impact,
787 01:16:36,717 01:16:41,388 and once again become a species in balance with nature. and once again become a species in balance with nature.
788 01:16:42,472 01:16:45,225 All we need is the will to do so. All we need is the will to do so.
789 01:16:45,726 01:16:50,606 We now have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves, We now have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves,
790 01:16:51,148 01:16:57,195 and restore the rich, healthy, and wonderful world that we inherited. and restore the rich, healthy, and wonderful world that we inherited.
791 01:16:58,530 01:17:00,032 Just imagine that. Just imagine that.