A Life on Our Planet

My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future

By: David Attenborough, Jonnie Hughes

Narrated by: David Attenborough

In this scientifically informed account of the changes occurring in the world over the last century, award-winning broadcaster and natural historian shares a lifetime of wisdom and a hopeful vision for the future.
See the world. Then make it better.

I am 93. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary.

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 is my witness statement, and my vision for the future. It is 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 one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited.

All we need is the will to do so.

Critic reviews

"The eminent traveler and naturalist delivers a combination of memoir and manifesto, the first leisurely, the second earnest....Recognizing that we are at a tipping point, Attenborough is refreshingly optimistic, noting that one thing humans do well is solve problems. Anyone concerned with the planet's ecological future will want to spend time with this excellent book."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Essential reading/listening

Essential reading/listening to anyone living on this planet today. A well written journey to life on this planet and the future we are facing.

If you need any more convincing…

David Attenborough has devoted his professional life to discovering our natural world and sharing what he finds with others. Attenborough reviews his life’s work decade by decade with fascinating details against the backdrop of earth’s environmental degradation. He then takes it into the future to present a picture of what our world will like. Finally he takes us through some existing and possible future solutions. It’s inspiring to hear about his life and his vision. It’s a balancing act between two perspectives: the dire situation we face today and likely tomorrow; vs optimism for the potential solutions and man's ability to solve hard problems.

An review of climate change causes and consequence

I really enjoyed the book.

The author uses his own experiences to illustrate how mankind has been causing climate change due to its activity, at first without understanding the consequences, at the same time that explains some technical aspects of the subject.

It also presents the vision of what might happen if climate change is not addressed successfully and proposes some ideas on how the change can be addressed.

It’s DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

David Attenborough is a hero of mine and his book details the downward trend in wildlife biodiversity as witnessed by his own eyes. He also explains what we can do to promote biodiversity and help the earth become a better place for us to live. Very good!!!!!

A book everyone should read!

This book is a must read . Published in 2020 the author takes us through the changes in our world, the natural world, occurring just during his lifetime. It is a pleasure to be read to by David Attenborough. Thoroughly detailed and highly emgaging, it is at once a horror story and vision for a peaceful future. The Earth System, we and all the creatures & flora, is at severe risk of failing. As our only home, the blue ball in space must be treasured if we are to survive.