The Wit & Wisdom of Sir David Attenborough is a celebration of England’s favourite naturalist. Along with information on his extraordinary life and popular documentaries, you’ll find his signature wit throughout.
This humble man (who has 18 plants and animals named after him) says it would be ‘rude to count’ how many degrees he has. And when asked what thing would improve his quality of life, he replied ‘good, workable knees!’
Not only has Sir David instilled a love of nature and wildlife for nearly everyone on earth, his programs to highlight plastic pollution is the reason why nearly every brand and online shop now has a ‘sustainability page’. As people increasingly question how items are made and packaged.
Sir David Attenborough has done more to help our planet, than any politician.
Born in London, Sir David was raised on campus at Leicester University, where his father was Principal. It was this love of learning that stayed with him for life (he has a degree in natural sciences, and also studied geology and zoology at Cambridge University). He has always lived simply (he sends letters over emails, and never learned to drive).
Happily married for 50 years until his wife tragically died age 70, David writes that with his ‘anchor gone’ he was lost at sea. So returned to working on nature programs, to cope with the grief. Their two children both work to help the natural world, an enduring personal legacy.
Don’t waste electricity. Don’t waste paper. Don’t waste food. Live the way you want to live, but just don’t waste. Look after the natural world and the animals and plants in it too. This is their planet, as well as ours. Sir David Attenborough
Let’s Appreciate BBC Natural History Unit
BBC may be dire these days, but BBC’s Natural History Unit is not. This still produces masterpieces that alas are often shown once, then confined to the archives.
You likely know many of the channel’s better-known programs like Frozen Planet. But there have been other less well-known programs over the years like Natural World Symphony, which was a work of genius, and never shown since. Also find good programs at BBC Earth.
Another Naturalist Saving England’s Wildlife
Back to Nature is a beautifully written book by wildlife presenter Chris Packham (and his step-daughter Megan McCubbin who he frequently hosts programs with). From our balconies and gardens to woodlands, this book highlights personal stories and conservation breakthroughs, to make you feel more hopeful of the natural world around us.
Chris Packham is quietly becoming the nation’s great hope of saving our native wildlife. He has already taken the government to court, to try to stop both HS2 and its backdown on climate policies.
He is also one of the many voices that has also called on the RPSCA to suspend its ‘assured scheme’ due to evidence of appalling abuse (causing ex-Queen guitarist Brian May, to resign as Vice-President in protest).
Chris even wrote an open letter to Ant and Dec, to ask them to stop the promotion of torturing and killing animals for entertainment, likening it to a modern day form of dog-fighting. He wrote:
Circuses have gone, dancing bears have gone, cock and dog fighting are the sad preserve of psychopathic criminals. We have no performing dolphins in the UK and no chimpanzees dressed up for tea time.
The cruel exploitation of wildlife for gratuitous entertainment on your programme continues to damage the great reputation of the UK as a ‘nation of animal lovers’.
