David Attenborough: people in power denying climate risk

Naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough has accused those in a position of authority and power of denying the risks posed by climate change because it is easier than taking the necessary action.

Speaking to Sky News, Attenborough said, “Wherever you look there are huge risks. The awful thing is that people in authority and power deny that, when the evidence is overwhelming and they deny it because it’s easier to deny it – much easier to deny it’s a problem and say we don’t care.”

Attenborough’s comments come as the UK prepares for a general election in May and after world leaders met in Lima, Peru, in December to discuss an international climate change agreement. A draft proposal of a universal treaty on climate change was drawn up and it is hoped an agreement can be reached later this year at a summit in Paris.

The broadcaster, who is well known for his documentaries on the natural environment, has previously warned that mankind is changing the planet to such as extent that animals can no longer survive and has called for the issues around a growing human population to be tackled.

Attenborough added, “(In term of climate change) we won’t do enough and no-one can do enough because it’s a very major serious problem facing humanity but at the same time it would be silly to minimise the size of the problem.

“Never in the history of humanity in the last 10 million years have all human beings got together to face one danger that threatens us – never. It’s a big ask but the penalty of not taking notice is huge.”

Photo: Foreign and Commonwealth Office via Flickr 

Further reading:

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Sir Richard Branson says climate deniers should ‘get out of the way’

Sir David Attenborough: mankind is changing the planet fundamentally

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