Chris Packham is calling for more diversity to combat climate change – saying “white middle-class men” are not going to save the world.
The Winterwatch star said that more people need to come together from all backgrounds to make a real difference - and said the "old duffers" should move aside for the young.
Speaking to Mya-Rose Craig on the Get Birding podcast, he says: “I certainly hope that it’s the case that more people from ethnic minorities are going out into the countryside.
"When it comes to diversity I think we’ve just got to work so much harder....because white middle class men are not going to save the world, it’s not their world, it’s shared by everyone on this planet.”
But Packham said he was optimistic things were moving in the right direction as long as the young had a voice.
He said: “I see positive changes, people from all different backgrounds, not necessarily ethnicity but also different economic backgrounds, religious backgrounds, and it’s particularly heartening that young people are at the forefront of raising these concerns.
“I like young people’s ambition, their lack of risk adversity, they say what’s what and they are prepared to take risks.”
He added to the podcast: “I think that’s one thing us old duffers need to do, let’s be brave, let young people have their time, let them have it now, not tell them they have to earn it and can do it when they are 30 or 40. That’s nonsense, now is the time to give young people a voice.”
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