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Sir David Attenborough: Champion of the Earth

Words by Smiley Team

Sir David Attenborough has been named 'Champion of the Earth' by the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP).

The UN called the award its "most distinguished environment award", and it was passed to the 95-year-old for his dedication to telling stories about nature and the climate crisis. 

"Fifty years ago, whales were on the very edge of extinction worldwide," said Sir David when accepting the award. "Then people got together and now there are more whales in the sea than any living human being has ever seen."

He also reiterated that the issues we need to solve for our planet require collective action. 

"We know what the problems are and we know how to solve them," he said. "All we lack is unified action."

Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, environmental justice advocate Robert Bullard and charity Sea Women of Melanesia.

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This article aligns with the following UN SDGs

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