Sir David Attenborough warns world faces ‘crippling problems’ due to climate change
Watch: Sir David Attenborough warns of ‘crippling’ climate change after COP26 role
Veteran environmentalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough warned that the world faces ‘crippling problems’ due to climate change.
Sir David spoke after being named People’s Advocate at the COP26 climate summit, which will be held in Glasgow in November.
Sir David warned that nations needed to work together to solve climate issues, and said that the problems will get worse in the next decade.
The veteran presenter has previously warned that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity, and that its effects will be felt by people alive today.
In a video message, Sir David said: “I am greatly honoured to be given the role of People’s Advocate. There could not be a more important moment that we should have international agreement.
“The epidemic has shown us how crucial it is to find agreement among nations if we are to solve such worldwide problems. But the problems that await us within the next five to 10 years are even greater.
“It is crucial that these meetings in Glasgow, COP26, have success, and that at last the nations will come together to solve the crippling problems that the world now faces.”
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Unless efforts are taken to curb energy use, large parts of our planet could face flooding, extreme weather events and hunger by 2050, according to a report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “Sir David Attenborough has already inspired millions of people in the UK and around the world with his passion and knowledge to act on climate change and protect the planet for future generations.
“There is no better person to build momentum for further change as we approach the COP26 climate summit in November. I am hugely grateful to Sir David for agreeing to be our People’s Advocate.”
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Earlier this year, Sir David warned the UN Security Council that climate change could lead to the collapse of many aspects of civilisation.
He said: “If we continue on our current path, we will face the collapse of everything that gives us our security: food production, access to fresh water, habitable ambient temperature, and ocean food chains, and if the natural world can no longer support the most basic of our needs, then much of the rest of civilization will quickly break down.”
“People today all over the world now realise this is no longer an issue which will affect future generations.
“It is people alive today, and, in particular, young people, who will live with the consequences of our actions.”
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