A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future
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- Create Date：2022-06-02 09:52:03
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：David Attenborough
- ISBN：1529108292
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Summary
With a new afterword， Why You Are Here: A speech on the opening of the COP26 climate summit
As a young man， I felt I was out there in the wild， experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion。 The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us， barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places， its biodiversity。
I have been witness to this decline。 A Life on Our Planet contains my witness statement， and my vision for the future - the story of how we came to make this， our greatest mistake， and how， if we act now， we can yet put it right。
We have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited。
All we need is the will do so。
As a young man， I felt I was out there in the wild， experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion。 The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us， barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places， its biodiversity。
I have been witness to this decline。 A Life on Our Planet contains my witness statement， and my vision for the future - the story of how we came to make this， our greatest mistake， and how， if we act now， we can yet put it right。
We have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited。
All we need is the will do so。
Reviews
Jitka Charbonnier
，
I have just read a book summarizing half of my first year of sustainability studies。 Written for non-expert through storytelling achieved David Attenborough to honestly and straightforwardly show why we should care about the planet。 Of course， some parts are missing， mostly connected to social sustainability and what surprised me is also the speciesist and anthropocentric view on A-IC。 Nevertheless， this is without a discussion a starting point for those further interested in the topic of sustai I have just read a book summarizing half of my first year of sustainability studies。 Written for non-expert through storytelling achieved David Attenborough to honestly and straightforwardly show why we should care about the planet。 Of course， some parts are missing， mostly connected to social sustainability and what surprised me is also the speciesist and anthropocentric view on A-IC。 Nevertheless， this is without a discussion a starting point for those further interested in the topic of sustainability; not only because Attenborough’s experience is unique thanks to him seeing the whole process of Great Acceleration from the first row， but through the book the most important concepts for the future are introduced - the Anthropocene， circular economy model and Raworth’s Doughnout economics。 Despite its flaws， omission of social sustainability and a solution through which we can adopt what he calls “a sustainable lifestyle” - education - I did love the book and recommend it dearly to others。 One point to education - the first step is not about changing our lifestyles， but mindset。 Attenborough talks about women empowerment， which I agree with but fails to put an emphasis on education that stands in the core of it all。 。。。more
Chelle Williams
，
After having watched the TV series of this first a lot of the information was not overly new but it really delved into a lot more depth about the possibilities to help save the planet。 Also， it worked well to show how fights for social justice are also fights for environmental justice and just how interlinked everything is。 As always， David Attenborough is an absolute inspiration！
Ruby
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Depressing
Lara
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"We have come as far as we have because we are the cleverest creatures to have ever lived on Earth。 But if we are to continue to exist， we will require more than intelligence。 We will require wisdom。"Loved this book。 It gives you a good overview about the state of the earth with lots of examples。 It shows hard truths but still leaves you hopeful for the future。 "We have come as far as we have because we are the cleverest creatures to have ever lived on Earth。 But if we are to continue to exist， we will require more than intelligence。 We will require wisdom。"Loved this book。 It gives you a good overview about the state of the earth with lots of examples。 It shows hard truths but still leaves you hopeful for the future。 。。。more
Naomi Pentrel
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It’s a good book to get an overview but Attenborough delivers a very white， distanced， and somewhat hypocritical and racist point of view on what should be done next。He speaks a lot to how people should eat less meat but then remarks that he himself only eats less accidentally。 If you’re going to make a huge point about people needing to do something less and then don’t even do it yourself that’s not great。 I’m not saying he needs to be vegan but at least actively reduce your meat consumption if It’s a good book to get an overview but Attenborough delivers a very white， distanced， and somewhat hypocritical and racist point of view on what should be done next。He speaks a lot to how people should eat less meat but then remarks that he himself only eats less accidentally。 If you’re going to make a huge point about people needing to do something less and then don’t even do it yourself that’s not great。 I’m not saying he needs to be vegan but at least actively reduce your meat consumption if you’re preaching that as the way forward to the world。He also speaks a lot about how developing countries need to stop destroying the last natural reserves and doesn’t really go into how deeply unfair it is that we （the western world） got to destroy nature here and benefit from that and now others have to be better and don’t get to take advantage of their resources。 A bigger focus should be placed on how we as the western world should pay countries for keeping natural reserves because that’s only fair。 。。。more
Anne
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An impassioned plea for the survival of our planet， backed up with clearly stated plans of how to bring this about， and examples of what is already being done or proposed。 This book is well written and should be required reading for all world leaders， as a job to be done。 It's also a good book for everyone else to read。 An impassioned plea for the survival of our planet， backed up with clearly stated plans of how to bring this about， and examples of what is already being done or proposed。 This book is well written and should be required reading for all world leaders， as a job to be done。 It's also a good book for everyone else to read。 。。。more
Kindlebug
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Amazing man。 Possibly the most important book I'll ever read。 Everyone needs to read this 💚 Amazing man。 Possibly the most important book I'll ever read。 Everyone needs to read this 💚 。。。more
Nowhere
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David Attenborough has been my inspiration to become an evolutionary biologist。 I don't know how convinced I am that humans can curb their greed and live and let live but whenever I read depressing articles about how we are ruining the world， I immediately think surely a significant population decrease would help because humans won't change ever。 I don't know if I am convinced there are still things we can do to improve our chances of survival for the next 250 years but I was nevertheless happy David Attenborough has been my inspiration to become an evolutionary biologist。 I don't know how convinced I am that humans can curb their greed and live and let live but whenever I read depressing articles about how we are ruining the world， I immediately think surely a significant population decrease would help because humans won't change ever。 I don't know if I am convinced there are still things we can do to improve our chances of survival for the next 250 years but I was nevertheless happy that David Attenborough thought there were things that could be done and that he hasn't lost all his hope。 。。。more
Emily Kleinhenz
，
What a beautiful combination of an exploration of Attenborough’s life， the life of the world， and how we can save it。 This book offer both warnings and solutions。 This left me with a confused combination of nervous for the current state of the earth and hopeful that we might change it。 A really good read for anyone looking for an exploration of climate change。
Emily Fardell
，
A stark look at the state of the earth and what needs to be done to save it。 If you have any care for the environment please read this。 Very well written， he uses plain language to get his point across。 The pictures included are placed at great points in the book to visually see what he's talking about。 A stark look at the state of the earth and what needs to be done to save it。 If you have any care for the environment please read this。 Very well written， he uses plain language to get his point across。 The pictures included are placed at great points in the book to visually see what he's talking about。 。。。more
Tim Littleford
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The first half is just the docco， but the second half dives much deeper into possible solutions。 Interesting， hopeful ideas， but they underestimate human greed， which of course， is how we got here。
Audrey Sigouin
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Une livre à la fois anxiogène et résolument inspirant。 Attenborough dresse d’abord le sombre portrait de la dégradation de notre monde， avant d’exposer des solutions basées sur le reensauvagement de la planète。 Son regard， celui d’un homme ayant consacré sa vie à documenter la beauté de la biodiversité， est très intéressant。 Le récit est ponctué d’anecdotes et de photos qui rendent le tout très accessible。
Daniel Vaca
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Though fatalistic at times， Sir David seems to believe we can solve our problems。 His audiobook narration was perfect as expected。
Magi Bogdanova
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Леко четиво， но много приятно и изпълнено със смисъл。 Препоръчвам на всеки， който иска да се запознае с настоящите проблеми на обществото и околната среда， както и възможните изходи от това взаимодействие。
Andrew Sammut
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Attenborough has spent over 70 years researching and attempting to preserve wildlife， simultaneously making brilliant documentaries and compiling novels。 This is the first Attenborough novel I've read but I look forward to reading more as his writing style is straightforward yet very informative and certain details stick。 I suppose that the main points in this novel are that although we're destroying nature， it will be able to recuperate。 It is us who ultimately won't。 We're still in time to res Attenborough has spent over 70 years researching and attempting to preserve wildlife， simultaneously making brilliant documentaries and compiling novels。 This is the first Attenborough novel I've read but I look forward to reading more as his writing style is straightforward yet very informative and certain details stick。 I suppose that the main points in this novel are that although we're destroying nature， it will be able to recuperate。 It is us who ultimately won't。 We're still in time to restore the destruction our species has brought upon itself yet we must be proactive if we don't want to go extinct。It is now more evident to me that Greta Thunberg just doesn't feel like attending school and despite raising awareness she's exaggerating and playing the role of a victim without truly doing much。 I read her book， nobody is too small to make a difference， a while back。 Attenborough goes into great detail about how our future will be affected if we don't take the necessary precautions。 And by we， he mostly refers to politicians and the wealthiest who are of course， causing the most turmoil since all they care about is money and hence favour capitalism。 He doesn't seem to realise that certain corrupt minds will prioritise money over survival because in their privileged lives， they can pay for survival even if the world is ending。He goes over many factors such as our irresponsible production of plastic， our carbon dioxide emissions and how global warming will take further effect as the greenhouse effect exponentially barbecues us over the next few decades。 The ice caps will melt causing entire countries and states to flood and various insects， birds and mammals won't be able to stand climate change and become extinct。 In a dreamworld， we all come together and do our part rather than depend on those in power to do so。 However， it is pointless to panic and act like hypocrites in warning others about such consequences yet doing nothing to fix the damage we've already caused。 There are various images and illustrations as well as charts which show how beautiful nature is when untouched by humans and others which indicate how there might be 13 billion of us by the end of the century or about 9 billion。 Consumption of meat and the inner works of the dairy industry as well as the deforestation and resources required to maintain them are also tackled profusely。 It is evident that Attenborough， now 96 years old， has a lot of experience and has seen the world change as the Anthropocene took over the Holocene。 He's lucky to have had such opportunities as to film and mingle with creatures we can no longer dream of bringing back， unless a Jurassic Park sort of scene becomes possible。。。 What irked me about this is how calm Attenborough seems about the disasters and tragedies we'll eventually have to suffer through。 Either because he knows he doesn't have much time left or because he's seen what is now lost but regardless it pisses me off and his concern doesn't always seem genuine。As opposed to A man's search for meaning by Frankl， this book， while alarming us of the negative impacts we might face in the future， is written by a humble and educated man。 Frankl， on the other hand， gives the impression that he's omniscient and despite surviving the Holocaust， he feels gratified rather than horrified since it yielded him a psychotherapy novel or two which will put him in the history books。 It is important to say that Attenborough reminds me of Chuck from Better Call Saul and I almost thought it was the same person。 Both of these novels can be considered autobiographies and I learned a lot through reading them。 I am grateful to have done so :）If you're here from insta， leave a like and a comment。 If not， follow me there， instagram。com/thepoetrycorner2021/ thank you！ My next read will probably be ready player one or the Anthropocene reviewed， I am now intrigued。 New post today， I should be unbanned soon haha 。。。more
Katherine Veck
，
I've heard lots of conflicting thoughts about this book amongst environmentalists， but I thought it went into just the right amount of depth for someone wanting to learn about the environmental issues we face， how we got here， and recommendations/vision for improving our world， all weaved together through a narrative of hope that follows his lived experience。 If everyone listened to this， understanding would be so much higher。 And of course， had to be audiobook version to hear it spoken by David I've heard lots of conflicting thoughts about this book amongst environmentalists， but I thought it went into just the right amount of depth for someone wanting to learn about the environmental issues we face， how we got here， and recommendations/vision for improving our world， all weaved together through a narrative of hope that follows his lived experience。 If everyone listened to this， understanding would be so much higher。 And of course， had to be audiobook version to hear it spoken by David Attenborough！ 。。。more
YE2005
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Actually 3，5 stars
Ann Dewar
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What a remarkable man David Attenborough is 🙌🏻。Having watched the Netflix documentary that accompanies the book， I nearly didn’t bother reading it but I’m glad I did because the facts are starker on paper and without the distraction of that familiar， mellifluous voice。The book is a cogent and well-argued depiction of where we are and where we need to be if we are to survive as a species。 I wish he was younger and in charge of everything， the world would be in much better hands。
Jonathan
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There are three things which I love about David Attenborough;1。 His soothing voice is distinctive and adds character to anything he narrates。2。 His dedication and ability to provide an unbiased account of nature。 And most importantly， how our choices today will influence future generations of tomorrow。3。 How he uses his fame to engage and unite a cross-generational set of audiences。Whilst I have grown up watching programmes either hosted or narrated by David， this is the first book I have read o There are three things which I love about David Attenborough;1。 His soothing voice is distinctive and adds character to anything he narrates。2。 His dedication and ability to provide an unbiased account of nature。 And most importantly， how our choices today will influence future generations of tomorrow。3。 How he uses his fame to engage and unite a cross-generational set of audiences。Whilst I have grown up watching programmes either hosted or narrated by David， this is the first book I have read of his。I was generally impressed and thought his choice of thought-provoking words would make this an excellent easy read for any age。 Or， indeed， anyone cynical of climate change。 。。。more
Tomer Mozes-sadeh
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It is rare that nonfiction Book can lift your spirits and bring down so many times with such intensity and this is what this book do when it’s vividly paints the picture off our life on this planet。 Like many other books it tells the story of the human race from a broad perspective and it does that fluently with many interesting and important statistics that helps the reader understand the background of the alternative to disaster that he’s offering。 I really feel it’s a must read for anyone Eve It is rare that nonfiction Book can lift your spirits and bring down so many times with such intensity and this is what this book do when it’s vividly paints the picture off our life on this planet。 Like many other books it tells the story of the human race from a broad perspective and it does that fluently with many interesting and important statistics that helps the reader understand the background of the alternative to disaster that he’s offering。 I really feel it’s a must read for anyone Even if the only outcome would be that all of us learn to appreciate leaders that are shooting sustainability rewilding and conscious above short term financial gains 。。。more
Imogen Kathleen
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Six hours of the most soothing voice on the planet？ Best。 Audiobook。 Ever。In all seriousness， this book is so important and so brilliantly done。 David Attenborough is a true gem of a person， and more people should be paying attention to his message。
Simone
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Depressing but needed， with some degree of hope
Sujata Bapat
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A perfect eye-opener for a layman with still some hope at the end of the tunnel。 Loved reading this book and travelling through time with him。
Crazytourists_books
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Yesterday was my one year anniversary as a vegetarian。 After watching the film seaspiracy， I realised that the way we live and eat is not sustainable。 I had already started making small changes in my family's everyday life， and it was time to change my approach towards food。 Yesterday， I needed a book to spend the waiting time before a blood test appointment and I thought this one would be a good choice。 And it was。 It made me feel the same way I felt after watching seaspiracy。 The first part ma Yesterday was my one year anniversary as a vegetarian。 After watching the film seaspiracy， I realised that the way we live and eat is not sustainable。 I had already started making small changes in my family's everyday life， and it was time to change my approach towards food。 Yesterday， I needed a book to spend the waiting time before a blood test appointment and I thought this one would be a good choice。 And it was。 It made me feel the same way I felt after watching seaspiracy。 The first part made me cry and the second part left me heartbroken。 I wish I could share Sir Attenborough's optimism that we can avoid complete destruction， but I don't。 And I am sorry for that。 I liked the book， it is nicely written， vivid， direct， interesting。 I couldn't put it down and finished it in only two days。 。。。more
Jinbao
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His way of writing is palpable and lucid。 A book that made me more aware of the environmental challenges faced by human beings now。
Norman Praught
，
Practical advice to affect real change from someone that has seen it all。
Ellie Cripps
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Well written， well read and well informed （of course！） Extremely worth a read even if the middle is a little scary！
Julie
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This book is terrifying， but also very hopeful。 Attenborough lays out details of our planet's problems and offers many solutions that are being （or could be） developed。 We are encouraged to put aside our differences as humans and nations and work together for the betterment of all。 As Sir David says， nature will recover no matter what happens - it's up to us to make sure humanity is still part of the picture。 This book is terrifying， but also very hopeful。 Attenborough lays out details of our planet's problems and offers many solutions that are being （or could be） developed。 We are encouraged to put aside our differences as humans and nations and work together for the betterment of all。 As Sir David says， nature will recover no matter what happens - it's up to us to make sure humanity is still part of the picture。 。。。more
Chrissa Ebth
，
I have no words that can explain how I feel after finishing this book… Please pick yourself up a copy， especially if like me， you had your head buried in the sand in regards to climate change。 5/5 - necessary read。
Jenny
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