David Attenborough takes aim at Australia for lack of climate action

Legendary natural historian, David Attenborough, has outlined a dire future for the world if climate change is not addressed immediately.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough appearing as a witness during the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee meeting in London. Source: UK Parliament

Legendary natural historian David Attenborough has slammed Australia for lack of action on climate change, as he issued a stark warning to British politicians that mass migration and social unrest would occur if the issue is not addressed immediately.

The 93-year-old told members of the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee that large areas of Africa would become "even less inhabitable" than they are now if "radical" climate action is not taken.

These actions, he said, would need to include lifestyle changes including raising the price of "extraordinarily cheap" airline tickets.   

"We cannot be radical enough with dealing with these issues," he told politicians on Wednesday.

"If the world climate change goes on as it is we are going to be facing huge problems with immigration. Large parts of Africa will become even less inhabitable than they are now and there is going to be major upsets in the balance between our national boundaries."

Mr Attenborough, who has been making nature documentaries for almost 70 years, named Australia in his damning speech as one of the countries worst affected by climate change.

"I will never forget diving on the [Great Barrier] reef about 10 years ago and suddenly seeing that instead of this multitude of wonderful forms of life, it was stark white.

"It had bleached white because of the rising temperatures and the increasing acidity of the sea," he said of his return since first diving there in the 1950s.

Read the full story on SBS News here 

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2 min read

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By Maani Truu, Chiara Pazzano

Presented by Chiara Pazzano

Source: SBS News



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