Sir David Attenborough, the renowned British broadcaster, has taken a moment to reflect on his remarkable life and career as he narrates his latest nature documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough. This new film, which debuts on May 8-coinciding with Attenborough’s 99th birthday-adds to his celebrated body of work that includes Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Africa.
In anticipation of the documentary’s release, Attenborough addresses the pressing environmental issues facing our planet, particularly the deteriorating state of the world’s oceans. He recalls his childhood impression of the sea as an untamed wilderness meant for human conquest, but now, as he nears a century of life, he recognizes that the ocean’s wellbeing is far more crucial than he once believed.
Having spent nearly a hundred years observing Earth’s wonders, Attenborough now considers the ocean to be the planet’s most vital domain. The documentary explores the story of the ocean, highlighting both its critical role in sustaining life and the urgent threats it faces. Through stunning visuals, Attenborough emphasizes the ocean’s significance in combating climate change, stating that its current poor health could easily lead to despair-if not for the hope found in the possibility of recovery.
He passionately asserts that preserving the ocean is synonymous with saving the world itself, a conviction shaped by his decades spent documenting the planet’s natural beauty. Whether Attenborough will appear on camera in the one-hour-and-thirty-five-minute film remains uncertain. In recent years, his on-screen appearances have become less frequent, as he has chosen to reduce his travel commitments due to age and concerns about the environmental impact of documentary filmmaking.
Despite these limitations, Attenborough has expressed that witnessing nature firsthand remains deeply captivating for him. Ocean with David Attenborough will initially be shown exclusively in cinemas, with plans for a global rollout on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu later in the year.
The documentary not only serves as a visual celebration of the ocean’s wonders but also as a call to action. Attenborough’s message is ultimately one of hope: while the challenges are immense, there are practical solutions and opportunities for marine recovery if humanity acts decisively and collectively.
