David Attenborough Backs #EarthOptimism In 2017

Given the tumultuous political events of the past few months it’s perhaps understandable if this Friday 13th we feel more than little anxious about the world around us.

As we move into 2017, people around the world are celebrating what is working in conservation and why. Discover how every one of us can become more involved in the fight to protect the natural world as we join hands with people in Cambridge, Washington, London and Panama in a global movement of #EarthOptimism.

On the 22nd April 2017 – Earth Day, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative will host #EarthOptimism for the general public at the David Attenborough Building in Cambridge. Jane Goodall, primatologist, conservationist and UN Ambassador for peace, will start the inspiring talks with a message of hope, and renowned Harvard psychologist, Steven Pinker, will close by examining how society can change for the better. In Jane’s words “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.” An impressive line-up of leading conservationists, popular naturalists and celebrity figures will present stories of success throughout the day, which will leave you hopeful for the rest of the year. Running parallel to the talks will be an activity-packed ‘Solutions Fair’, where you can calculate the carbon footprint of your next holiday and get great tips on diet. This is your chance not just to learn and share, but also to step up and join those who are making 2017 a positive year for our planet.

The most precious thing we have in this world is the natural world

“The most precious thing we have in this world is the natural world. As we enter 2017, it gives me great hope to know that the global movement, #Earth Optimism, will be sharing conservation successes and the actions we can all take to protect our planet.” Sir David Attenborough

Join the #EarthOptimism movement to find out what is happening in the countryside and in pioneering British schools, take a trip to the Essex oyster beds, and listen to the call of pied hornbill while drinking tea that is helping to protect it. Hear about how people are bringing critically endangered species back from the brink, restoring forests, fenlands and coral reefs, and removing waste from the oceans. And find out what actions we can all take in our everyday lives to make a real and lasting difference.

“The story of nature conservation is often one of loss. But there are many successes, too, and in 2017 I will play my part by celebrating these whenever I can, giving hope that loss is far from inevitable,” David Gibbons, Head of Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon have slowed to a third of that in 2004 – let’s slow it down more this year by choosing what we buy and eat. Carbon emissions have not risen for a third consecutive year – let’s make 2017 the year they go down. Numbers of some of our rarest creatures, from blue whales to bitterns, are on the rise – let’s support projects that save more! The combined size of the marine protected areas created in 2016 is almost 15 times the size of the U.K. – let’s keep the momentum going.