Sir David Attenborough receiving the Landscape Institute Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and becoming an Honorary Fellow of the Landscape Institute in 2019, photographed by Nick Harrison. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Living for 97 years is an impressive achievement in and of itself. Most people hitting this milestone are probably thankful for what health they have and the memories they've made. In the case of legendary TV host and conservationist Sir David Attenborough, he can reflect on a life of activism in service for our planet. The British icon recently turned an impressive 97 on May 8, 2023. Born in 1926, Attenborough has spent most of his life on camera for the BBC covering animals and natural history. Today, despite his age, he is still an active campaigner for our planet.
Attenborough, who received a degree in natural sciences from Cambridge University, joined the BBC full-time in 1952. He traveled around the world with his Zoo Quest program, highlighting different creatures. After a sojourn in BBC administration, he created his iconic series Life on Earth in 1979. Since then, he has created and starred in countless programs which have brought nature closer to viewers around the world.
His recent documentary with World Wildlife Fund, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet, often returns to a theme which has predominated in Attenborough's later work. He reflects on just how much the environment has changed in his decades of observation and the swiftly ticking clock to prevent further catastrophic destruction. This program was widely streamed and dubbed a “wake up call” for the world. While Attenborough is far from the first or only voice to raise this call, his reach as a respected and powerful figure within the BBC provides a useful platform.
Although he has received countless awards, Attenborough has used recent accolades as a chance to focus once more on the planet. Shortly after winning the Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, he gave a passionate “final plea” to all in Frozen Planet II. Even after his 97th birthday, he continues to write and speak on preserving the UK and the world for future generations. We at My Modern Met wish Sir David Attenborough many happy returns as he continues this fight.
Conservation legend Sir David Attenborough turned 97 in May 2023.
He has led a life on air showing the world the marvels of nature, and more recently, the perils facing our planet.
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