99-year-old Sir David Attenborough delivers his 'greatest message' yet

As Sir David Attenborough approaches his 99th birthday, the broadcaster who brought the natural world into living rooms for generations has offered what he calls the most important message of his life — and this time, the focus isn’t on land. His new film, "Ocean," is reportedly the most important work of his career. According to its producer, Toby Nowlan, it’s something else entirely. "This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he’s ever told."

Beginning his message, Attenborough said, "After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea. The film argues that the ocean is humanity’s strongest ally in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. It also shows just how close that support system is to total collapse. The film tracks changes in the ocean across Attenborough’s lifetime — from his first dive on the Great Barrier Reef in 1957 to the widespread damage caused by bottom trawling today, as per the BBC. The footage shows how trawling chains tear through the seafloor, pulling up marine life indiscriminately. "It’s hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish," he says.

The practice not only destroys habitats but also releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Despite the grim outlook, Attenborough says there is still reason to hope. He points to the rebound in whale populations after the 1986 ban on commercial whaling. Once reduced to just one percent of their original numbers, many whale species have made significant recoveries. That recovery, he says, proves the ocean can heal — if given the chance. "The ocean can bounce back to life. If left alone, it may not just recover but thrive beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen," he says in the film.

"Ocean" premiered this week at London’s Royal Festival Hall and is being released just ahead of a major UN ocean conference. Attenborough hopes the film will encourage world leaders to follow through on pledges to protect a third of the world’s oceans. "In front of us is a chance to protect our climate, our food, our home," he says. Keith Scholey, who co-directed Ocean, has worked with Attenborough for more than four decades. "Every time you work with David, you learn something new," he said. Despite his age, Scholey described the naturalist as sharp, energetic, and creatively demanding. "David keeps you on your mettle because he is so on his mettle," he added.

What sets "Ocean" apart from Attenborough’s earlier films is the sense of urgency. While his work has always highlighted environmental change, this film is positioned as a call to action. "In front of us is a chance to protect our climate, our food, our home," he says. Speaking recently about the new series he’s filming for Disney+, Attenborough acknowledged that time is running out for both the planet and himself. "Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true," he said, reflecting on how much our understanding of the sea has changed. He added, "The ocean is our life support system. And we need to protect it — now."