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Life

28th Apr 2019

David Attenborough says he doesn’t have long left to live

Carl Kinsella

David Attenborough

This might just ruin your day.

In a very sombre interview, legendary documentarian and conservationist David Attenborough has said he does not have long left to live.

In a podcast called Outrage and Optimism, Attenborough discussed the issue of climate change with former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres.

Attenborough, who is 92 years old, gave a stark of the world he is leaving behind for his grandchildren.

“I don’t spend time thinking about that because I can’t bear it. I’m just coming up to 93, and so I don’t have many more years around here. I find it difficult to think beyond that because the signs aren’t good.”

The beloved documentarian, who is behind the recent Netflix series Our Planet, has long been a strong voice against our wanton destruction of the climate.

Speaking about the attitudes of younger generations towards climate change, Attenborough was unequivocal.

“Their outrage is certainly justified, there is no doubt about that. There will be cynics who try to dismiss [the school strikers] and say they don’t understand the world and how it works.

“Young people may lack experience but they also have clear sight. They can see perhaps more clearly than the rest of us who have been around for some time.”

“My generation is no great example for understanding – we have done terrible things,” he said. “If we are not making progress with young people, we are done.”