David Attenborough Tells Prince William He Was Appalled by Humanity’s Impact on the Ocean

A Conversation on Ocean Conservation

In a poignant discussion with Prince William, David Attenborough expressed his deep concern over the devastating effects of human activity on the ocean floor. This conversation took place ahead of the premiere of Attenborough’s latest Ocean documentary at London’s Royal Festival Hall in May.

Unspeakable Damage

Attenborough, a renowned biologist and natural historian, described the state of the deep ocean as “unspeakably awful.” He emphasized that much of the damage inflicted upon the ocean is hidden from public view. “The awful thing is that it’s hidden from most people,” he stated. “If you did anything remotely like it on land, everybody would be up in arms.”

The documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, explores the significance of the ocean and how Attenborough’s lifetime has coincided with a remarkable era of ocean discovery. It highlights the importance of a healthy ocean for the stability and flourishing of the entire planet.

Raising Awareness

Attenborough hopes that the film will shift public awareness regarding ocean conservation. Documentaries like Ocean are vital, and they often help the audience understand the urgency of protecting marine life. “If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it will be very, very important,” he remarked. He urged viewers to recognize the urgent need for action to protect this vital resource before it is irreparably damaged.

The Excitement of Discovery

During the conversation, Prince William reflected on the ocean’s unexplored frontiers, expressing fascination at the possibility that there are regions of the ocean that remain unseen by human eyes. Attenborough confirmed this, stating, “Beyond question,” and noted that there are still places where no human has ever ventured.

William highlighted the potential for future generations to become explorers of these uncharted territories, describing it as a “really optimistic excitement sort of moment,” paralleling the discoveries presented in Attenborough’s ocean documentary.

A Legacy of Environmental Advocacy

As a long-time champion of environmental issues, Prince William has often cited Attenborough as an inspiration. Together, they launched The Earthshot Prize in 2020, an initiative aimed at providing innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges, including ocean protection. The prize awards £1 million (approximately $1.2 million) annually to five winners, with the goal of funding at least 50 pioneering environmental solutions by 2030.

Urgency for Action

Ocean builds on Attenborough’s extensive collaboration with marine scientists and addresses critical threats such as deep-sea mining, biodiversity decline, and the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. The documentary’s release coincides with the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where member states have agreed to protect 30% of the world’s oceans, although progress has been slow. Attenborough’s ocean documentary underscores the call for urgency in addressing these issues, which is more relevant than ever.

As the world celebrates Ocean on World Oceans Day, the message is clear: the time to act is now, before we lose the treasures of our oceans forever.