Sir David Attenborough is releasing what he considers one of the most significant films of his entire career as he prepares to mark his 99th birthday this week. Titled Ocean, the new feature-length documentary could, according to Attenborough, serve as a turning point in the fight to preserve biodiversity and combat climate change.
The legendary broadcaster and environmentalist, who turns 99 on Thursday, emphasized the central message of the film: “After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.” He believes the ocean is not just a part of Earth’s environment but a vital lifeline for humanity and a powerful shield against climate disaster.
The film Ocean asserts that the oceans are currently at a crucial junction, with their health playing a pivotal role in the future of life on Earth. Through stunning visuals and sobering revelations, the documentary highlights both the profound beauty and the alarming degradation of marine ecosystems. According to the film, the ocean acts as the planet’s life-support system, and the choices we make now could determine the survival of countless species and even the stability of Earth’s climate.
A grand premiere for Ocean is set to take place tonight at the Royal Festival Hall, with a blue carpet replacing the usual red to symbolize the film’s marine focus. The event is expected to draw a number of high-profile guests, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, astronaut Tim Peake, singer Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon.
Toby Nowlan, the producer of Ocean, noted that the film departs from the usual format of Attenborough’s natural history programs. “This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he’s ever told,” Nowlan said. Rather than simply showcasing wildlife, the film is a powerful call to action.
Ocean also serves as a personal reflection for Sir David, tracing the changes in the seas he has witnessed over his lifetime. He recalls his first experience scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef in 1957, saying, “I was so taken aback by the spectacle before me I forgot – momentarily – to breathe.” That awe-inspiring moment left a lasting impact on him. However, what has followed in the decades since has been a drastic decline in marine biodiversity. “We are almost out of time,” he warns in the film, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
One of the film’s most powerful segments focuses on the destructive impact of bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging heavy nets across the seabed. The documentary presents stark footage of how this technique devastates underwater habitats, portraying it as one of the most harmful forms of industrial fishing. Sir David explains that trawlers often target just a single species, discarding more than 75 percent of what they catch. “It’s hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish,” he says.
In addition to its ecological toll, bottom trawling releases large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in ocean sediments, thereby accelerating global warming. Alarmingly, this harmful practice is not only legal but actively supported by various governments. Sir David expresses concern that the dire state of the oceans has at times made him fear for the planet’s future.
Yet amid the gloom, Ocean also offers hope. What has sustained Sir David’s optimism is what he calls “the most remarkable discovery of all” – that the ocean possesses a surprising capacity for recovery. With proper protection and time, marine ecosystems can regenerate faster than previously believed.
A poignant example in the film is the story of the whales. An estimated 2.9 million whales were slaughtered during the 20th century by the global whaling industry, a mass killing considered the largest of any animal species in terms of total biomass. Sir David reflects on the near-total collapse of whale populations, recalling, “Just one per cent of Blue Whales were left. I remember thinking that was it. There was no coming back, we had lost the great whales.”
However, a global ban on commercial whaling introduced in 1986 following public pressure led to a stunning turnaround. Whale numbers have since rebounded, offering a clear example of how targeted conservation measures can produce dramatic results.
The film’s co-director, Keith Scholey, who has collaborated with Sir David for 44 years, offered insight into the enduring energy and curiosity of the famed presenter. “When I first met David, I was in shorts,” he joked, referring to their first meeting in 1981, just two years after Attenborough stepped down from a senior position at the BBC. “He’d done one career, and he was off on his next.”
Even as he nears 99, Sir David remains deeply engaged and intellectually sharp, according to Scholey. “Every time you work with David, you learn something new,” he says. “It’s really good fun. But also, David keeps you on your mettle, because he is so on his mettle and so, you know, it’s always a very creative process.”
The overarching message of Ocean is one of cautious optimism. Sir David emphasizes that it is not too late to act. He points out that many nations have pledged to protect one-third of the world’s oceans. With a United Nations conference on the horizon next month, he hopes this new film will push global leaders to turn those promises into real, enforceable policies.
He believes that if these commitments are honored, it could result in transformative changes. “The ocean can bounce back to life,” he declares. “If left alone it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.” A restored and vibrant marine ecosystem would also capture greater quantities of carbon dioxide, thereby reinforcing the fight against climate change.
Sir David summarizes the stakes involved with his characteristic clarity and urgency: “In front of us is a chance to protect our climate, our food, our home.” His lifelong dedication to illuminating the wonders of the natural world is clearly far from over.
As he celebrates his 99th birthday, Attenborough continues his mission with the same passion and vigor that has made him a trusted voice for the planet for decades. Ocean will begin screening in cinemas across the UK starting Thursday, offering audiences a compelling look at both the peril and potential of Earth’s vast and mysterious seas.