Sir David Attenborough on life, death, climate change and the future of the planet | Triple J Hack

Sir David Attenborough has slammed Australian leaders for inaction on climate change in this wide-ranging interview with triple j’s Hack program.
The world’s most renowned natural historian speaks about his life’s work, his least favourite animal, school students striking for climate change action, the future of the planet, and his views on religion and what happens after death.
Read more here: ab.co/2lhs8Dk
For more from ABC News, click here: ab.co/2kd3ALi
If you're in Australia, you can watch more ABC News content on iview: ab.co/2kKaXKn
Subscribe to ABC News In-depth: / abcnewsindepth
For breaking and trending news, subscribe to ABC News on KZbin: ab.co/1svxLVE
You can also like us on Facebook: / abcnews.au
Or follow us on Instagram: / abcnews_au
Or even on Twitter: / abcnews

[@greatquotestoliveby]

It would be rather difficult to quantify the amount of value any given person has provided to this world but I believe that if you could, this man would be pretty high on that list.

[@jamesmule]

"You're still doing so much, for someone in their *nineties* ." I literally said out loud "HE'S WHAT?" and stared at my screen for five minutes when I read he's actually 93.

[@StacyNotStacey]

David should be able life forever He is the chosen one He protects the earth

[@peterblackburn7269]

Stacy Eremeeva well said💖

[@ronandunlea]

lmao classic!

[@JeffreyRufino]

Agree!

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Except that living forever, but continuing to age would be a living nightmare...

[@noghh5767]

hes the only famous person that really voices environmental problems

[@exoticsmania]

This is the man who taught me to love our world, to care for our planet. Thanks to him i get the opportunity to teach Wildlife Conservation and how to save our planet. I'm only 15 but because of the school i attend they let me teach this to kids form age 7 all the way to 17. I have learnt so much of this man and i would love to meet him one day.

[@al6939]

Awesome❤️

[@chutcentral]

How can a 15 year old teach anything LOL

[@reallyidrathernot.134]

Further evidence to my attitude that people who are able to say "I don't know" (when they also do have informed opinions) are the best people.

[@Vool2go]

YEP LOVE YOUR COMMENT. They are humble people which you don't get much of these days : ]

[@NxDoyle]

It's such an important thing for us to learn, both individually and as a species. Inventing answers to questions beyond our understanding leads to a lack of desire to learn and to understand.

[@simoncss1]

Folks who say “I don’t know” in the responsible way, having paid their due diligence, are the wisest of them all. Truly

[@RG-ja34sep]

Agree fully, on many occasions, you have to say “I don’t know”! As long as you try to find answers and solutions to the unknown!

[@murderballad1154]

Attenborough is our grandad.♥

[@Soylentology]

He is such a blessing. His passion is contagious.

[@alexovnz]

He is a liar!!! Do you like liars?

[@alecingram4669]

Alex V lies? explain.

[@9AJW4]

Sir David is a national treasure. I already know that I'm going to cry when he's no longer with us and I really fear for our natural world when that day comes.

[@ScreamingTc]

Every time his name crops up on Twitter's popularity feed, I have to rush off to the BBC website and make sure he's still with us.

[@claudiuioanpardos611]

He is a world treasure,not just a national...

[@tomnicholson2115]

@Caz Za I don't believe he was ever cruel. But what were you doing for the planet 50 years ago, things may have been different then, but he was making us aware of the natural world.

[@michaelibbotson1274]

Brilliant interview. Brilliant man. I'm going to cry the day I read he has passed on.

[@sumanrao1739]

Long live this great man, a humanist to the core

[@uremawifenowdave]

I was just thinking the same thing. He still seems vibrant and passionate, but we all come to an end and his death will move me. I’ve been raised on his nature programmes all my life and any natural history programme presented by someone else seems alien when I watch it. He’s the voice of natural history.

[@saulsavelis575]

he will live forever

[@jrhughes3190]

I used to like him, until he lied about the walruses killing themselves in the name of , climate change, cough bs cough. he is a UN muppet.

[@saulsavelis575]

@@jrhughes3190 u misunderstood him

[@caseykeough100]

No David, the amazing shots are just the cherry on top! We love you! Your passion, and your voice in such a disappointing political climate. 😍

[@Jason-..-]

Love u sir david! Thanks for EVERYTHING! You will ALWAYS BE WITH US! 🌍💙💚

[@Passi0nsFaith23]

A truly wonderful interview with a man who has given so much

[@Camboge]

I'm trying to make good personal choices and I am changing the way I shop. I'm trying to buy less plastic packaging. Almost everything comes in plastic. 1) We need to demand a near future ban on plastic packaging 2) we need a comprehensive program to make every home, school and every other airconditioned building efficient, preferably with recycled fibers such as cellulose insulation, which is made from waste paper from schools, offices, etc. And is 40% more fuel efficient than fiberglass. 40% is a bunch of wasted fossil fuel. Think about every house that is poorly insulated, burning fossil fuels to heat and cool all year long. And it would put people to work doing the rehabs, an investment in the workforce that will yield tax money in the coffers, which we can put toward more projects that will reduce our pollution. 3) encourage small local farmers to produce more than monoculture crops. Local produce and animal products would cut shipping fuel usage and refrigeration costs and electricity usage. There are so many more things that we can be doing with technology that already exists to make a livable world possible for following generations

[@tonypalliser3761]

Exactly.

[@Sanguinarius9999]

The best thing you can do as an Australian is stop buying products produced in countries with no epa and made to break. Buy Australian made. The way we waste our resources and buy from polluting multinational corporate industries is as big if not a bigger problem than our coal plants. The pacific islands use diesel generators ! The only way things get better is if we become a correctly informed not fear indoctrinated direct democracy and only do business with other like minded countries.

[@timmcgrath3995]

Sanguinarius9999 maybe we should create an Oceania Union?

[@reflexxtr]

100 years ago the governments of this wold should have listened to Nicola Tesla. we would have had abundant free energy for everyone

[@zenithlifestyle4841]

chieftain 76 nice comment I agree. Also would like to add that eating animals is the largest contributor to environmental destruction.

[@gulabjamun173]

What a living legend! Been watching Sir David Attenborough since I was a kid. Loved your comments about God. A world through the eyes of evolution is far more interesting and exciting.

[@czarnakawa7958]

What a treat. When he opens his mouth you know it's going to be diamonds. I don't think I ever agreed with any known person as I agree with Sir David. And how lucky we are to have such a treasure live with us for so long. It just generally doesn't happen.

[@shirleyandrews1152]

Sir Attenborough is one of the hero’s in my life & my children’s lives. I remember his first dive in the coral reef when I was in hi school. He, Jacque Cousteau, Valery Taylor inspired my son to study oceanography & become a scientist himself. THANK YOU ❗️❤️

[@91mrmister]

A great interview, what a legend! I wish world leaders were that sound of mind.

[@V4lairiel]

He’s in his 90’s yet looks and sounds still very sharp. Thank you, eternally for your work

[@LITTLEEXPERIMENTCHANNEL1]

He’s like a national grandad who’s stories tells the 40 year old kids the most interesting things of the world. There has been others but he does it with such commitment.

[@lucasmarik7076]

This has been the best thing ive seen all week

[@AndersJensenTH]

An old man telling lies is the best thing you've seen all week?

[@alecingram4669]

Anders Jensen lies? care to explain?

[@NewMessage]

This man the the ASMR of my childhood, and, as a consequence, the voice of my adult conscience.

[@spiraldown2710]

My sentiments exactly 🤘🏼

[@SuperKevjack]

Wow, Sir Attenborough! Long live thee!

[@brendan3556]

So blessed to have this human on the planet.

[@jayw115]

Love him, and everything he stands for. Everyone should stop using plastic, and make their own small gardens. Plant trees and nurture your environment

[@aperson2730]

The way he walks in and sits down at the start shows he's still very sprightly for a 93 year old 💪

[@danprice7973]

I didn't like that he asked him if he was scared of dying, felt that was inappropriate especially given his age. All the other questions were fine though. Sir David is very clever in his responses to controversial topics but if you listen you can get his opinion. What a British legend

[@karenkline7221]

Sir Attenborough..You are about 23 years older than me. I have been hearing about "Zero Population Growth" for over 50 years. I have learned through the years that the lack of food for some people has more to do with troubles with distribution, especially when warlords and dictators are in charge of things. I've also learned that all the people in the world can fit into Texas. I have loved watching you throughout the years when you share what you have discovered all over the world with us, and how you enjoy and appreciate both flora and fauna. Thank you so much for that. I do want you to ask a few more scientists for their findings about the "climate change" conundrum. I have found that the mining of certain ores cause more trouble than the burning or smelting . The Great Barrier Reef does need to be tended to and corrected. The CO2 can't cause too much trouble since CO2 is what trees and other plants love, and it is still less than 0.04 percent of the atmosphere. The planet will be greener with a higher CO2 level. Our problem is mostly with how we dispose of waste and keeping our waterways clean. Also, Uranium mining is bad for us...I don't like Nuclear Power. Have a Happy Birthday this May.

[@SethGavriel111]

Dude I have loved this guy since I was shown his work by my high school zoology/chemistry teacher! And heM’s 91 and still working and doing what he does so wonderfully! Does anyone else feel like he’s going to work till 110 and live to st least 120! Listen to how sharp he sounds and spry he looks and moves!

[@DamiensTrainsandTravels]

David is 93 in this interview and looks great, he reminds me of my Nan (1924 - 2015) some of his mannerisms the same both great people, David could run the world I reckon not just be Prime Minister. So full of life still.

[@vidtrax662]

Sir Attenborough has shown us the rich and diverse beauty of planet earth we all should respect and treasure....thank you 🙂

[@al6939]

It’s not luck Sir David, it’s that your heart beat so beautifully it gives you your youth. We’ve been given your voice of reason and if only we would all listen. Thank you Sir David

[@benjebb]

One of my hero’s could listen to his wisdom all day

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Amazing man. He is a world treasure.

[@carlalopes9809]

💎

[@AndersJensenTH]

He is a liar!

[@carlalopes9809]

@@AndersJensenTH You are a liar,...2

[@tomnicholson2115]

@@AndersJensenTH Carla is right, you are a liar.

[@LeosAnimalPlanet]

Hello Sir David Attenborough. I'm 6 and you are my hero. This is my nature conservation channel, inspired by you.

[@chutcentral]

We owe him so much. What a tireless advocate for living creatures.

[@mildredfontanilla4922]

Im just wondering whose the interviewer. I just so love how peaceful , calm and smart he is.

[@yma0evelyn]

The biggest problem we face is overpopulation and this has been an increasing problem since the 1940's when antibiotics became freely available to the public. We have completely wiped out the balance of equilibrium and cheated death. (Un)fortunately (for us), it is short-lived. Bacteria is adapting to the antibiotics that we have and we will be faced once again with the equilibrium of bacterial disease and fatalities due to it. This will bring back equilibrium and thus lower global warming greatly by lowering the amount of humans thus the global footprint. I am not saying that we don't need curb our habits now as I cannot say for certain that someone won't develop working technology that uses viruses as a control for bacterial infection, but we need to lower birth rates. This needs to come from the government, esp in the UK where being a mother is an income and they pump out children for more money. Plastic. I can't buy a lettuce without it being wrapped in plastic. I never use straws so the ban on straws hasn't reduced my carbon footprint and it was a moronic thing to single out, why did they focus on straws instead of the real problem, the material it is made out of. It's hard to find an alternative. Why can't I buy soft drinks from a refill fountain at Tesco? We certainly can make personal changes but until the powers that be ban plastic and stop encouraging/rewarding unethical behaviour (including business, like the businesses that dictate what green changes will be cost-efficient to them) we will continue to see people destroy the planet for their own convenience.

[@devilstoast2703]

Bless this man, now and forever. I really hope we can turn the tide soon, it's so sad that there are those out there who simply deny what they see right in front of them, I hope the young remember this motivation when they come into power. We need action NOW

[@vyleart4488]

If our humanity was to end one day, I can easily imagine that the narrator of our drama would have his voice. Thankfully, if our humanity was able to grow and save ourselves, I can also imagine his voice as the narrator.

[@sutoyobusro8221]

David Attenborough is like look my dad, is look like my smart teacher or my best friend so I can gain any knowledge from him, what, how and we can do it better. Really enjoy * Toyo, Indonesia *

[@Hummmminify]

WHY don't the powers that be listen to this man? He is so pragmatic and intelligent and at such a great age......truly a great gift to us all.

[@dhirajbeechoo1972]

I have watched Sir David since I was a kid, he is an inspiration. Thank you/

[@bking8984]

David, you are a god in my eyes. I wish that a fraction of our world leaders had a slither of your insight on how this planet really works. You are an old man but your mind is more capable of seeing the truth than anyone I know, let alone our pathetic leadership. To quote a phrase I heard recently; 'Hot water makes potatoes soft, but also makes eggs hard.' What kind of human are you? A potato? or an egg?

[@lesfield7504]

He's the only person who deserves a knighthood 😬

[@jeremyripton]

Sir David Atteborough should give you a clue.

[@minirock000]

He is the recipient of the most awards given to any Briton. Let that sink in, and also that you were informed by an American.

[@thetwopointslow]

What a wonderful human being

[@marysoubble1053]

I love u david. Thank you for all u have shared. I pray the world will take heed 😚

[@ezragonzalez8936]

Sir David Attenborough should be granted a Unesco world heritage status for as humans go he truly is a priceless cultural treasure for mankind!

[@philwyatt2176]

An absolute pleasure Tom & David 🙏

[@philthycat1408]

The biggest burden to our planet is people are living longer than they are supposed to.

[@dasseydsouza]

I can't get words to describe and thank you sir attenborough for the shear work that u doing..

[@off_mah_lawn2074]

No it is you David Attenborough! You have brought an appreciate for the planet to a generation of kids that have not been able to experience it themselves. Also your voice is awesome

[@Astonyshing]

I am 73 next month, and I would say that he is one of the amazingly wise and knowledgeable people I have ever seen. I wish that more people would take serious notice of what he has been telling us for years. For the good of the generations to come.

[@mikemorris6301]

When temperatures rise to 50C people will migrate. When masses migrate it creates conflict and war. Consider the costs of such conflict

[@kiedranFan2035]

That's the thing, the migrations won't be allowed, there'll be zero tolerance for that. And so there will be war and that war will solve our issues once and for all. Some will survive but not on the surface as our weapons make the earth temporarily uninhabitable. Our descendents would be made then and the humans we are now may cease to exist. But our spirit would live in in the creatures we give our abilities to.

[@davidnganire8494]

79 more years should be added to the age of David Attenborough.😃😃🙏 forgive the old man please. O LORD. The Word 'Forgive' is Gold in my translation of English language.

[@RalfOltmanns]

I think we (the world) are very lucky that Sir David is so very lucky to be in so good physical and mental health in his age.

[@timmcgrath3995]

Wow that was hard hitting! No questions about Walruses?

[@pissiole5654]

He has well and truly earnt his page in the history book, in my opinion he ranks pretty highly amongst the greatest Britons to have ever lived.

[@mmomj83]

The perfect human does exist. I hope this interviewer knows how lucky he is! He did quite well too!

[@micahhenley589]

The only perfect man is the God-man named Jesus Christ(1 Peter 2:22) Jesus Christ died on a cross to save us from our sin(Romans 5:8). You and I broke God's law but Jesus paid our fine. Then Jesus rose from the dead, 3 days later, thus defeating death.

[@DamiensTrainsandTravels]

David is amazing even at 93 I think he could be PM and has more of an idea about the world than some people, I could listen to David forever.

[@peteryang8708]

I first saw his very early documentaries, on Indonesia. He was already suave, speaking the local language, Malay, to the natives. Amazing!

[@parallaxnick637]

Slavery became intolerable because we found a way to get what we wanted without them- we industrialised. For the same thing to happen with climate change, we would have to find a similar technological marvel, like say, cheap clean energy.

[@kymvanderkaag1474]

Or just reintroduce slavery.....

[@isakpalsson9012]

**cough** nuclear power **cough**

[@kymvanderkaag1474]

@@isakpalsson9012 The fact is the promoters of the political processes in climate change are looking to a reintroduction of a global elite and a global genocide; pretty much the communist/socialist Utopia again. Unfortunately Sir David is one of many spokesmen for this cause. Good Luck and Cheers!

[@raymondgoubet]

I love Sir David's answers at the end of the video! To the question how this World came to be, his answer is: "I never believed that Genesis was literally true... As a boy... come on !" Watch the whole thing, but from 20:55 he his just honest...

[@paulinelarson465]

I thought if you replaced "GOD" with a space exploration fleet, it would be more believable. Scientists setup a lab experiment, set it running and stop by now and then to take readings, collect samples and tweek the components. Then they leave until the next report is due. If they were on a terraforming mission, to create a new world for their race - then rhe "God created this" on the 1st day, this in the 2nd day bit would have ended with extra terrestrial tenants installed.

[@Edith1517]

I absolutely love the natural world the and fascinating magic that is nature. David brings us the awe, wonder and incredible beauty, power and mystery of life. Sir David thank you. I hope we stop waste and understand the preciousness of all life forms on this planet. 💚

[@chrisgeurts7797]

Sir David Your a gift to the planet 👍💪😇

[@lloydlutz3288]

Incredible human David Attenborough love all your work and attitude

[@zsh3084]

I cried they whole video. I love him so much

[@reallyidrathernot.134]

Advice to politicians: "In the end, you have to appeal think is right, do you think it right that we go on destroying the world the way we are." Imagine someone, other than the greens, leading with a bit of backbone.

[@redbeard8913]

That's why BREXIT needs to happen so we control what we do and not EUROPE! I don't care about the money! We need to start taking control of our seas and stop them being over fished by other nations, farm the way we see fit, not to European standards where a vegetable has to meet a specific shape and size standard! Reduce our emissions, plastics, fossil fuel use, focus on making a stand for the planet and not for the bank balances!

[@oska-vant-hoff]

Certainly one of my heros in life. Someone who clearly values the process of understanding, and how important it is for making the decisions of life. A brilliant range of questions too, hats off to the interviewer and his team!

[@elainerafferty9719]

A difficult ending. Life is for living the more you use it the more you have but inevitably there is an end to everything so live life with that in mind. Thank you Sir David Attenborough your life's work is a treasure.

[@elletuppen4844]

Thank you for this terrific interview. Sir David is so right ~ money talks but will corporations see this before their immediate greed? What a brilliant and open mind...keeping it real on free speech, humble enough to be undecided on many things - even the source of life...especially organized religion. My hero🙏🏽🌈🌹🇿🇦♥️

Sir David Attenborough is not always on point with recent science, he is usually living in science from his youth, but he has his points from time to time. His comments on current climate change are on point, a 100 %.

[@joshrobertson3187]

How is he not on point with recent science?

[@claudiuioanpardos611]

If there's a rolemodel in this world,here's the only one worth trying to follow. His name? Sir David Attenborough!

[@Joke9972]

The barrier reef in the fifties : no colour camera... the great barrier reef 2020 : there is no colour left to record.

[@luminair11]

Love Sir David.....God bless him in this life and in the next!

[@davehyde6207]

An absolutely amazing man..nature's treasure

[@julievanberkel3058]

Great questions and very interesting answers from the top man!

[@greenthumbbe]

thx ,for this wonderful interview

[@blogorgonopsid]

Great interview!

[@smithswilliams9116]

God bless you sweetheart. I will pray you to keep going

[@DLFfitness1]

So much wisdom.

[@zephheine9681]

all ages love your docos sir..your knowledge is outstanding ❤✔

[@Bluesky636]

Incredible talk

[@RobertSela]

Thank you Sir for sharing your views and thoughts.

[@debramcquain5027]

Such an admirable, compassionate, humble man 🙏🏼❤️🕊

[@keithwhite5657]

Truly an amazing person

[@Andy-eb1hq]

I cant sleep without his voice everynight

[@gtb870]

Great interview thanks, what a legend! Edit: just seen a bunch of comments about climate change being wrong.... wow you kids need to get out more! The internet and our planet are not the same thing!

[@UniverseRobGames]

David Attenborough: The Father of Nature

[@PrabhatKumar-fn4vy]

He is grt I would rather watch his series than movie

[@calebbird445]

What a beautiful hearted human being David Attenborough is!

[@minirock000]

If we as a species, could allow one person to live as long as they choose, I choose to let Sir David Attenborough be that human. Just so I don't nor any others ever have to be in a world he is not in and showing us the amazing things about the natural world that still provide him and he infects us with his wonder.

[@dragon291000]

The sad thing is I think he would need many lifetimes to make people understand ✌

[@user-xs6es6xw1b]

Please explain what David Attenborough said at the very end. He said "I never believed that Genesis was literally true as a board i came on", right? What does this phrase mean?

[@neitherhotnorflashy1677]

Genesis is the first book of the Bible, which tells the story of the creation of the Earth. He is saying that he doesn't believe that story is how the earth was actually created in a literal sense meaning factually exactly as it is stated ie in 7 days etc. You'd have to read it to understand all that he is saying. "True as a board" means when a plank of wood is "true" it has no warps or bends, but rather is completely straight and true. I am not sure that he did say that though.

[@reallyidrathernot.134]

I think he said "...as a boy, come on." i.e. "Even when I was a boy I mean... come on mate, pull the other one."

[@jedics1]

Top bloke, I hope I still have as many barbles left as him when I get to that age...

[@ellenbacklin]

Love this interview. I would love to find groups in chicago that are as adamant as I am.

[@psyantologist]

Thank you

[@ArticalWolf]

What a legend!

[@aliciaasc4996]

Sir David Attenborough has really changed my views and educated me growing up, I’m 17 years old and I really want to initiate later on in my lifetime with Climate Change.

[@kevinfrancis6033]

Thank you 🍃🌏🐝🌍🕊🌎☮

[@BearNecessities017]

Always loved his voice..

[@ledzeppelin708]

Its very simple, if we listen to this man we have a very bright future, if we dont then we wont, IN SIR DAVID WE TRUST!