Sir David Attenborough provides clear leadership at COP26
Veteran environmental campaigner makes clear it is time for action on climate
World Leaders dominated the first full day of #COP26, with speeches from Boris Johnson, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau and Prince Charles. Despite the presence of the great and the good, one voice demonstrated the credibility of a lifetime devoted to articulating the value of our natural world.
Sir David Attenborough, in his role of COP26 People’s Advocate, made a clear compelling case for climate action. In a wide ranging speech supported by compelling graphics, and video testimonials from around the world, the 95 year old activist and broadcaster gave a very powerful speech.
Because of rising carbon dioxide levels in the Earth atmosphere, currently at 414 parts per million, he reminded the audience that “the stability we all depend on is breaking”. Citing humans as being the “greatest problem solvers that have ever existed upon Earth“, he called for a collective effort to address climate change. He concluded that “a new Industrial Revolution powered by millions of sustainable innovations is essential and is indeed already beginning.”
Sir David’s full speech (8 mins) can be watched below
Other notable announcements on Day 2 of the COP
Key commitments included:
- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing 2070 #netzero target, backed by ramped up renewables goal for 500GW by 2030, when it will make up half of India’s energy supply.
- The Brazilian government also announced it is to strengthen its 2030 carbon target.
- A major survey of CEOs showing over 70 per cent are now working on net zero strategies.
All see the stakes in the COP negotiations as being high, but there remain some dissenting views regarding the pace of decarbonisation, which will need to be resolved, if the COP is to be an unequivocal success.
There is still much work ahead in the next two weeks to secure a positive outcome to the COP.
