Reviews - A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future

4/5 stars.
ebook, 274 pages.
Read from December 9, 2020 to December 15, 2020.

Review at the Pluviophile Writer: https://bit.ly/2UyZS0v

Outside of my obsession with cats, if you know anything about me, it’s how much I love nature documentaries. I don’t care for TV or movies but a good nature documentary I am always in for. This brings me to Sir David Attenborough, the narrator KING of nature documentaries. I will watch anything with this man in it. His voice is soothing, entertaining, and captivating. It will be a sad day for this planet when this man passes.

This book is a testament to Attenborough’s life and work, it is his “witness statement” as he refers to it. The book is part autobiographical as it discusses the beginnings of Attenborough’s interest in nature and our world when he was just a child, to how he got involved with the BBC and became the figure that we know today. However, this is to give credence to the message and statement that Attenborough wants to leave you with. Attenborough wants to bring to your attention to the rapid decline of biodiversity and changes in our world that he has personally witnessed throughout his life in exploring our world and all of its inhabitants. Attenborough discusses how we got to this place of decline with solutions that we can take now to prevent and heal the current damage. His tone is intensely urgent but non-judgemental and still very hopeful. At 93 years old he wants you to know what change has happened in his lifetime alone and putting into words a lasting statement of what he dedicated his life to. Attenborough hopes that future generations can take action and reap the benefits of a healthy and sustainable planet and future.

“We have come as far as we have because we are the cleverest creatures to have ever lived on Earth. But if we are to continue to exist, we will require more than intelligence. We will require wisdom.”

This book is meant to alarm you and make you feel uncomfortable but it also talks about people and businesses that are doing their part and how you have the power to as well. Attenborough’s writing is as cohesive and soothing as his voice making for a pleasurable read.

“We often talk of saving the planet, but the truth is that we must do these things to save ourselves. With or without us, the wild will return.”

Is Attenborough doing enough? Many vegans would argue that no, he is not. Attenborough is not a strict vegan or vegetarian though, he has, in recent years, substantially reduced his meat intake. Attenborough may not be vegan or vegetarian but he has a voice that he is using and that people will listen to. As a vegetarian myself, I believe that this a deeply personal choice that you cannot force it upon people and that real change comes with informed choices. With work like Attenborough’s and with him lending his voice to such an essential and necessary cause, it helps people make more scientifically backed, ethical, and informed choices in their own time. One of the reasons that Attenborough is so successful is that he is palatable and reaches people from all walks of life. He also has a firm belief in humanity to make good choices that will improve the life of everything on this planet. This delicate balance in advocacy that creates urgency and not fear, choice and not threats, is why his work is so valued and why he has reached so many

“Everything is set for us to win this future. We have a plan. We know what to do. There is a path to sustainability. It is a path that could lead to a better future for all life on Earth. We must let our politicians and business leaders know that we understand this, that this vision for the future is not just something we need, it is something, above all, that we want.”

If I could recommend one wholesome and thought-provoking book to help you realise the state of our planet and how it’s not too late to make a difference, it would be this one.

“All we require is the will. The next few decades represent a final opportunity to build a stable home for ourselves and restore the rich, healthy and wonderful world that we inherited from our distant ancestors. Our future on the planet, the only place as far as we know where life of any kind exists, is at stake.”

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sj10's review against another edition

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5.0

This should be a must read for everyone. It is a replica of the Netflix show from David Attenborough and captures the concerns of a man who knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the natural world.

I am hopeful of a version that younger children can absorb but wish this could be part of high school curriculum.

David Attenborough is a legend and this doesn’t disappoint, a scary, truthful and hopeful account of his time travelling the world and seeing the effects man has had on nature.

birdnerd23's review against another edition

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5.0

[b:A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future|53916142|A Life on Our Planet My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future|David Attenborough|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599570348l/53916142._SY75_.jpg|84272267] is an important environmental book, in three sections. Part one is [a:David Attenborough|106444|David Attenborough|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1318921669p2/106444.jpg]’s witness statement, describing the changes over the past 90 years. In part two, we learn about the bleak future that will exist if we change nothing. Thankfully, part three returns a sense of hope and empowerment by describing changes we can make to reach a sustainable environment. At the end of the book, you will find a glossary, references and an index.

[a:David Attenborough|106444|David Attenborough|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1318921669p2/106444.jpg] has an engaging writing style that is both clear and vivid. As with his many nature documentaries, he takes you on a powerful journey. Highly recommended.

elusorius's review against another edition

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4.0

I think everyone should read this book, or watch his latest documentaries. I believe everyone should be more aware about how nature works and how it's currently changing. This book certainly helps in that aspect, and caused some heated discussions in our household.

I would highly recommend getting the audiobook, narrated by David Attenborough himself, to get his soothing voice when you hear about the world potentially coming to an end. Of course, Attenborough also comes with solutions, a fair bit of history and his own experiences. And everything is very well researched, with advice and stories from scientists all over the world. On top of that, the writing is surprisingly good, though a bit repetitive at times

I don't read much nonfiction, and I dropped both history and biology for good reason, but this was an important and interesting read.

4/5

kadriarrak's review against another edition

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5.0

A book that gives you an earnest overview of our plants health. Things are not good, but we are the generations who can make a difference. Small steps matter on the way to save our Blue Planet. I feel both sad and inspired after listening to Mr. Attenborough.

kirstenelwood's review against another edition

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required reading

j_quinn's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the most important book I've read all year. Maybe in the last 10 years. Everyone should read this, whether in paper, digital or audio. I particularly enjoyed listening to David, and I would recommend that to anyone who can. So important.

Profit, People, Planet.

Rewilding the world and our oceans.

Returning to being in sync with nature, as it's stewards.

We are in crisis, and we need to do what is best not just for humans, but every other living thing on this small blue planet.

sskonberg's review against another edition

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4.0

I just wish I got some more stories about his work and exploration. I found his stories to be excellent and very interesting. I wish I got less on his opinions about how we fix things. I just found myself wanting more information about his life.

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