Sir David Attenborough

*Goodreads Choice Award Winner for Best Science & Technology Book of the Year* In this scientifically informed account of the changes occurring in the world over the last century, award-winning broadcaster and natural historian shares a lifetime of wisdom and a hopeful vision for the future. See the world. Then make it better. I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day -- the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline. A Life on Our Planet is my witness statement, and my vision for the future. It is the story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake -- and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right. We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited. All we need is the will to do so.

My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future

A Life on Our Planet

David Attenborough

In this scientifically informed account of the changes occurring in the world over the last century, award-winning broadcaster and natural historian shares a lifetime of wisdom and a hopeful vision for the future. See the world. Then make it better. I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day -- the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline. A Life on Our Planet is my witness statement, and my vision for the future. It is the story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake -- and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right. We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited. All we need is the will do so.

Fortune Atuakpoho

Highly recommended, puts the urgency of change into perspective.

See the world. Then make it better. 'I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. I have been witness to this decline. A Life on Our Planet is my witness statement, and my vision for the future. It is the story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake - and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right. We have one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited.' All we need is the will do so.

The most optimistic I’ve felt about the planets truly terrible situation in years.

Benjamin Harlow

This was not a book that you could enjoy, it was mostly information in a digestable format.

The message was very important though, and made me aware of so many things. 

Eszter Baranyi

This was not a book that you could enjoy, it was mostly information in a digestable format.

The message was very important though, and made me aware of so many things. 

Every single human needs to read this book, take notes and then take action. 

Beth Bartholomew

Cecilie Nielsen

This is a must read for 2022 if people haven't read it yet. Probably the most important book to read in this decade.

Tierney Ahad

This mans life is fascinating. Also the information he shares is beautiful. The factual stats of our earths decline is scary. Insightful read

Alexandra P

I really liked this book. It is a good companion to the Netflix documentary where I was left wanting a bit more. I was happy about a plant based diet being discussed and wasn’t as extreme as a lot of things I am exposed to. I think it is important to make this book as accessible and easily understandable to everyone, which includes not scaring people too much or making things seem difficult, whilst still conveying the severity of our situation. I love David Attenborough and he did a great job with this book. I am saddened by the fact he will not get to see if we do him and the planet proud in the 100 years to come.

Ciska van Bokhorst

Christine Liu

At 94, David Attenborough has had a remarkable life and created a truly monumental body of work. In this book, he chronicles his journey from a young boy marveling at ammonite fossils to the world's preeminent nature documentarian with the signature reverence and awe for nature that characterizes his many television programs. This short book is divided into three sections. The first is what he calls his witness statement, where he details the things he's seen from 1937 to 2020, tracking the growth of human population, increasing carbon in the atmosphere, and decline of remaining wilderness at each step along the way. The second part is a brief description of what can be expected to occur over the next 90 years if things continue the way they currently are, and it is an understandably bleak and alarming vision. The last part offers his vision for the future, or a series of interventions that must occur in concert to rewild our planet and maintain livable conditions for us and every other species alive. It's easy to become cynical and fatalistic when thinking about the state of the climate and the environment, but David Attenborough's message is one of hope and optimism. This was a lovely, fast read that focuses on what Attenborough knows best - the astonishing wonder and resilience of the natural world.

A Life on Our Planet My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future

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