Sir David Attenborough has issued an urgent warning that humans only have a "few short years" to fix the natural world.
The 96-year-old naturalist appeared in a new documentary coming to BBC iPlayer which looks at the people in the UK trying to fight against the decline in nature while examining the wildlife and habitat at risk. The programme, Saving Our Wild Isles, sees Sir David "meet inspiring people, young and old, who are working to restore the natural world."
He also highlighted the urgent need to "repair our relationship with the natural world", adding: “We now have a few short years during which we can still make a choice, where just enough remains of the natural world for it to recover. This starts and ends with us.”
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Sir David stressed that the UK is "one of the most nature-depleted countries" in the world, with one-quarter of mammals and one-third of birds at risk of extinction. The film has been funded by charities WWF, the National Trust and the RSPB and has been produced by Silverback Films.
Outside the documentary, Sir David said: “Whilst it’s tempting to think of those on the frontline as the only ones who can make a difference, the truth is, every one of us, no matter where we live, can and must play a part in restoring nature to our isles.
“Never has it been more important to do this for ourselves and for our wildlife.”
In a joint statement, Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, Tanya Steele, WWF chief executive and Hilary McGrady, National Trust director general, said: “The scale of the crisis facing UK nature demands that all of us, from all parts of society, take action.”
They added: “Incredible work is happening in every corner of the UK, but to turn the nature crisis around requires all of us to play our part. Inspired by the landmark Wild Isles series, we came together to bring to life and celebrate these stories in an effort to inspire more people, businesses and leaders to pick up the baton.”
Saving Our Wild Isles will be on BBC iPlayer from 8pm on Sunday April 9.
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