(Toby Strong/BBC/Studio Silverback/PA)
(Picture: PA Media)We all have a Sir David Attenborough moment. The soothing phrase or astounding visual shot from his near-seven decade-long broadcasting career.
Yet it is his latest manifestation — that of climate change campaigner — that could be his greatest legacy. He has warned world leaders that COP26 must be the place and time in which humanity steps back from the precipice of climate catastrophe.
His cry could not be more urgent. Recent analysis suggests that even with the latest pledges, our planet is headed for around 2.4C of warming by the century’s end, far above what is considered safe.
The build-up to COP26 has been challenging. The crucial $100billion a year target for climate aid to poorer nations will not be met until 2023. It was supposed to be hit last year. China’s President Xi Jinping will not be in attendance. And the pandemic has disrupted everything.
As for Britain, despite welcome steps in the Net-Zero Strategy published last week, we do not appear capable of even preventing raw sewage from flowing into our rivers and beaches.
“If we don’t act now, it will be too late,” warns Attenborough. So let’s act. Now.
