One of my most treasured items of clothing is a thin white t-shirt with the name “Sir David Attenborough” in all caps plastered across the chest. I bought it second-hand from a sustainable fashion brand, something I think Sir Attenborough would approve of. Not only is this shirt one of the softest tops I’ve ever worn (and a casual flex for fellow nature film nerds), but it is a statement that says I love our planet, I believe in science, and when a worldwide hero and qualified leader tells us we’re in trouble, I listen.

“We’re not apart from nature, but a part of it.”

His voice is iconic. His message is clear: climate change is ruining our beautiful planet. 94-year-old David Attenborough has dedicated his entire life to studying and protecting the natural world, and he describes many life-changing moments in the Netflix documentary A Life on Our Planet, directed by Alastair Fothergill and Jonathan Hughes. The places he visited as a young twenty-something that were once teeming with lush jungles, ice-capped mountains, and free-roaming wildlife have become more skeletal every day. This visibly drastic difference is enough to bring a grown man, and definitely a 30-something film critic, to tears.

If seeing the distress on the faces of the displaced chimpanzees or the horrid conditions of factory-farmed chickens doesn’t convince you to think twice about our role on this planet, then maybe Attenborough’s desperate pleas will. “We’re not apart from nature, but a part of it,” or “We need more than intelligence, we need wisdom.” But it’s not all doom and gloom; Sir David Attenborough is confident that by following his calls to action, we can slow, stop, and then reverse the damage we’re doing to our planet. We can start by choosing solar over fossil fuel, reducing farm space to let the natural land grow, and incorporating more plant-based meals into our diets.

Takeaway

Attenborough attests that this film is his witness statement and vision for the future. We are so lucky to have him exist in our lifetime and share his knowledge with us. Increased awareness of climate change and sustainability will hopefully inspire future Attenboroughs, so let’s do our part to cultivate an environment for them to thrive and carry on the message of our planet’s hero.

This review originally ran on October 8, 2020.