Sir David Attenborough has attributed environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s prominence to her “passion, insight and concern about the future”.
The veteran presenter, who is set to host a new show exploring the Earth’s continents, described the 16-year-old Swedish activist as a “political person” rather than a broadcaster.
Thunberg recently attended the UN climate summit in New York, travelling by racing yacht and avoiding planes as well as cruise ships, and made an impassioned speech about action on climate change.
“Greta Thunberg is there because of her passion, her insight and her concern about the future,” Sir David, 93, said.
“She’s a political person, she’s not a broadcasting person.
“And making programmes like this, I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I’m sure a hell of a lot of young people are saying, ‘For God’s sake, why doesn’t he move over? Give another person a chance’, but anyway there I am.”
Seven great continents. One incredible Planet.There’s no place like Earth.#SevenWorldsOnePlanet starts Sunday 27 October, 6:15pm on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer pic.twitter.com/oTADAJOnAF
— BBC Earth (@BBCEarth) October 17, 2019
Sir David will front Seven Worlds, One Planet in the new BBC One show and said his documentaries seek to present the facts on climate change.
“We present, as the series does, the facts.
“Of course they have an emotional impact because reality has an emotional impact, and we do our best to be honest and as truthful and as eloquent as the subject deserves. That’s our job.”
Seven Worlds, One Planet airs on BBC One, Sunday October 27.