BioHax Picks / Sustainability

Sir David Attenborough defects from BBC to Netflix to convince Donald Trump of climate change and warm millions of ecological disaster.

The most famous naturalist and presenter on earth, Sir David Attenborough at 92 years-of-age, will attempt to save the world by switching from the BBC to Netiflix in order to reach over 200million people. This eight-part serious called “Our Planet” will launch on April 5 to prove to viewers how critical it is that we act now to save the planet from irreversible damage due to climate change.

Under China, the United States is the second largest global GHG (greenhouse gas) emitters, where if not urgently reduced will increase the global temperature preventing the worst impacts of climate change. Sir David Attenborough has taken up the challenge to try and convince climate denalist, Donald Trump that climate change is a real threat.

The legendary veteran and environmental advocate said he would not shy away from confronting the US president over his refusal to admit the impact of climate change, which stems from receiving large donations from big business to maintain this stance.

Sir David said “it would be cowardly not to try and convince Mr Trump that the future of the planet was precarious,” but conceded that those blind to the facts may not want to see the truth, as it would mean they would need to action. This action could impact on donations if forced to comply with implementing strategies for renewable energy, less development, less deforestation and less emissions.

The presenter has also stated “the impact of climate change could be halted and reversed rapidly if there was the political will to enforce environmental measures.”



Sir David said: “The BBC, powerful and pervasive though it is, can’t reach 200million people overnight, simultaneously. This particular ambition — of reaching the vast majority of TV sets in the world — is very important and the message is urgent.

The natural world is in crisis. Let’s not mince words. It really is in crisis. We are in trouble. There is no point saying, ‘We will do that or pass that’ or, ‘We will have another meeting’. We want people to know what is happening NOW.”

Sir David has spoken to the press regarding Donald Trump and his upcoming series Our Planet, which marks a departure from the BBC to Netflix after a 67-year partnership.

“I would certainly take the challenge and I would think carefully about what I actually said. There’s so many bits of evidence I would use.

“I would be using the increase in the human population for starters, as to where we’re all going to get fed. Where are we going to do it? How do you make the arithmetic work?

“But I mean what you say to him in the face of what is visibly happening – the climate of the United States of America – it’s perfectly clear.

“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”

The Netflix series took four years to make, with 600 crew travelling to 50 countries to record our impact on wildlife, from tiny insects and dazzling tree frogs to mighty whales and solitary tigers.

It shows how polar bears and walruses depend on ice which is disappearing due to global warming.

A note of hope is sounded too. One sequence in Antarctica shows the amazing feeding methods of whales driven to the brink of extinction by hunting but saved by changes to international law.

“Share the wonder of the extraordinary place we call home. Utilizing the latest technology Our Planet was filmed entirely in Ultra High Definition in over 50 countries. From exotic jungles to the deepest seas, open your eyes to the connections we all share. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Our Planet launches worldwide April 5th.”

OUR ECO-SYSTEM IS UNDER THREAT AND HIGHLY VULNERABLE DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

From extreme heat, to bushfires to floods. This is what the climate council is calling Australia’s angriest summer on record in a report that was released last Thursday. And if you were unlucky enough to live in Port August (Adelaide) this season, you would have experienced numerous days of record-breaking 49.5 degrees heat.

"This summer was so hot we witnessed fruit cooking on trees," Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.

“The record-breaking heat in Australia over the 2018/19 Summer is part of a long-term warming trend from the burning of fossil fuels and land clearing.

For many years’ scientists have warned that climate change is driving worsening extreme weather. The Angry Summer is another example of the consequences of climate change today.

Protecting Australians from worsening extreme weather requires phasing out fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to renewables and storage technologies.”

The Federal Government has no credible climate change policy to drive down greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuel or anything in place to assist industry with the necessary changes.

Former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW Greg Mullins said in a statement that severe fire seasons are “now happening almost every year”. Mr Mullins said, due to the longer seasons, there wasn't enough fire services to defend Australia.

A new advocacy group has also emerged, Bushfire Services for Climate Change Action, demanding Parliament acts immediately and put climate change on the top of their priority list.   

"There is a clear link between climate change and the frequency and destructiveness of bushfires," the website reads.

"The government can no longer ignore the way their climate change denial is hurting our communities and putting lives at risk. They must take Australia beyond fossil fuel projects like Adani and move to 100% renewable energy for all."

From a wildlife perspective, possums, koala’s, bats and other animals have been found dead on mass at the bottom of trees or not far from their habitat. In an article posted today from The Guardian reported more than 100 dead and injured ringtail possums were found along a stretch of beach in Victoria due to extreme heat.

**Image credit: The Guardian

The article states 127 ringtail possums were found along the shoreline and even in the water at Somers Beach on the Mornington Peninsula after an extreme heat wave and bushfires.

Aware Wildlife rescuer and foster carer, Melanie Attard, indicated the animals had become so desperate and dehydrated they had left their normal habitat in an attempt to find water.

“We assume they’ve come out due to the heat stress heading for the water in desperation,” she said. “It’s not nice seeing a possum throwing itself into the beach and drinking seawater. It’s really desperate.” Out of the 127 animals found, only 27 had survived and would be released back into the wild when they had recovered.

Euan Ritchie, an associate professor of wildlife ecology and conservation at Deakin University’s Centre for Integrative Ecology, said “the extreme weather that had been predicted for decades was now affecting several species.”

“These recent heatwaves have been a disaster. The spectacular flying foxes. The bogong moths. This just really adds to that story,” he said.

“It’s not just we’re talking about endangered species. This is a common species and it’s falling over.

“That’s a pretty big reality check.”

Will you be a climate change voter in this upcoming election?

Send a clear message through the Australian Conservation Foundation to both majors parties now — “If you want my vote you must #StopAdani, end digging up and burning coal and switch to 100% clean energy.

BREAKING NEWS: Hobart first to ban single-use plastics

Hobart City Council have now paved the way by setting a precedent for the rest of Australia to ban single-use plastics by 2020, including takeaway food containers, coffee cups, plastic lids and straws.

City of Hobart councillors voted 8-4 in favour of a by-law on Monday night to support the ban and further impose fines for those who do not comply.

Councillor Bill Harvey lead the initiative stating Hobart City Council had to set the bar for other local governments to address and follow suit.

Hobart will now go down in history as the first capital city in Australia to ban single-use plastics, targeting petroleum-based plastics, utensils and packets used for sauces and condiments.

"What that says is that we're serious about leading by example and we're a council that takes the initiative, that makes bold decisions, and this is one of those decisions that will have impacts for councils across Australia," he said. "We've set a precedent that now hopefully many other councils will follow." – SBS.

There is now a statutory process to follow, which includes a 21-day public consultation to be set in motion before the by-law can be acted upon.

Environment Tasmania Director, Philip Cocker said the ban was a small but significant step in environmental sustainability for the city. "I am sure all Hobart businesses will be able to implement the by-law with positive effects on their businesses," he said in a statement.

In addition to this, Hobart City Council have also written to Elise Archer, Environment Minister, to request a state-wide plastic ban by the state government.