David Attenborough Reflects On His Legacy As He Nears 99

Sir David Attenborough is taking a moment to reflect on his life as he narrates stunning scenes of the Earth and its oceans.

Coming up next Thursday (May 8), his latest documentary, titled Ocean with David Attenborough, is set to premiere. The release is particularly special as it lands on the same day he turns 99.

This documentary joins the long list of nature series that Attenborough has brought to audiences over the years, including popular titles like Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Africa.

Ahead of the documentary's arrival in US cinemas, a short preview was shared where the veteran naturalist speaks about the threats facing our planet and the harm that's unfolding in the oceans.

"When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity," Attenborough shared.

"Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true."

"After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea."

In the new documentary, Attenborough dives into what he calls the 'story of our ocean'. Through this journey, he aims to highlight a groundbreaking period of ocean exploration. He also stresses the ocean's crucial role in Earth's health, bringing attention to the challenges it faces while also pointing out ways marine ecosystems can be restored.

During Ocean with David Attenborough, the iconic presenter describes the ocean as one of our most powerful tools in the fight against climate change. He later adds: "Today, it is in such poor health I would find it hard not to lose hope were it not for the most remarkable discovery of all."

"If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I'm sure nothing is more important."

It’s still unclear whether Attenborough himself will make an on-screen appearance in the one-hour-and-35-minute feature.

While he once regularly appeared in front of the camera, showcasing his journeys to remote and exotic places, those kinds of scenes have become less common as time has gone on.

Sir David Attenborough, pictured back in 2023, has admitted that his life is coming to an end Dave Benett/Getty Images

Back in 2020, the environmentalist revealed that he was cutting down on how much he travels for his work. As he got older, the idea of long-haul flights started to weigh on him more heavily, and he said his 'heart was sinking deeper and deeper' at the thought of being away for extended periods.

Attenborough has also spoken about feeling stuck in a 'paradox'—the dilemma of needing to travel to make documentaries about protecting the planet while also being aware of the environmental toll that travel can have.

Still, he told the Radio Times that seeing wildlife up close continues to have a special kind of magic for him. He described it as having a 'hypnotic appeal'.

Although Ocean with David Attenborough will debut exclusively in theaters, reports suggest that it will later become available to a wider audience through National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu at some point this year.