British naturalist Sir David Attenborough gave leaders at the UN climate summit in Glasgow a brief lesson in the fragility of the planet and humanity’s dependence on the natural world.
The 95-year-old documentary-maker, who was announced at Monday’s ceremonial opening as the “people’s advocate,” spoke ahead of presidents and prime ministers from more than 100 countries.
Sir David said for much of humanity’s existence, the climate on Earth had swung wildly before stabilising 10,000 years ago, allowing human civilisations to flourish.
“The stability we all depend on is breaking,” he told the summit.
Attenborough said the action necessary to curb greenhouse gas emissions to levels that would prevent dangerous global warming is possible, if countries move quickly and decisively.
“We are, after all, the greatest problem solvers to have ever existed on Earth,” he said. “If working apart, we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet.
“Surely working together, we are powerful enough to save it.”
Meanwhile, the Queen has urged world leaders at the COP26 climate summit to “achieve true statesmanship” and create a “safer, stabler future” for the planet.
In a video message, she said many people hoped the “time for words has now moved to the time for action”.
She urged them to act “for our children and our children’s children” and “rise above the politics of the moment”.
The Queen said she took “great pride” in the royal family for encouraging people to protect the environment.
The 95-year-old monarch had been scheduled to attend the conference, but she pre-recorded her address last week at Windsor Castle after being advised to rest following medical checks.
