Legendary wildlife broadcaster Sir David Attenborough praised the wonders of the natural world while warning of humanity's impact on the environment on Tuesday.
In an interview with Britain's Duke of Cambridge at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the veteran presenter said we do not fully understand the extent of humanity's impact on the natural world and if there is not a change, we will "wreck" the natural world and in turn "wreck ourselves".
Sir David said that when he started broadcasting "the notion that humanity might exterminate a whole community of animals was quite foreign".
But "now there are more people living in towns than there are living in the world, so it means the majority of the human race are out of touch with the natural world," he said.
"We have to be really aware of the dangers we are doing. The plastic problems in the seas are wreaking havoc on natural life, the extent of which we do not fully know," he said.
But the British broadcaster also explained how new technology is unveiling new wonders of the natural world to people in all countries and expressed the universality of a fascination with wildlife.
"We have never been more powerful," he said, "we can wreck it with ease...and if we wreck the natural world, we wreck ourselves."
The naturalist broadcaster also praised the ability of Netflix to reach millions of people immediately, while discussing his latest program, saying how the streaming platform can reach millions of people worldwide.
Sir David was speaking in Davos where business leaders, politicians and NGOs are meeting this week to discuss the next iteration of globalisation.
One of the key themes of this year's event is the environment, with discussions about plastic pollution, energy sustainability and protecting our oceans.
The interview with the second in line to the British throne came a day after Sir David Attenborough warned "The Garden of Eden is no more," referring to the Old Testament paradise garden.
“If people can truly understand what is at stake, I believe they will give permission for business and governments to get on with the practical solutions," he told the audience in Switzerland as he accepted the Crystal Award, which honours artists and cultural leaders whose contributions best represent the "spirit of Davos".
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2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
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2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
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Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Match info
UAE v Bolivia, Friday, 6.25pm, Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium, Dubai
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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