David Attenborough's 'last' appeal to take action against climate change moves viewers to tears

Sir David Attenborough made a "last" appeal to the audience to start taking action to improve the environment to the viewers of "Frozen Planet II." The show aired on BBC One last Sunday night, and the 96-year-old delivered a speech directly to the camera in which he asked viewers to guarantee that the planet, not least the animals featured in the show, had a future. 

The responsibility of tackling climate change on a bigger scale lies with governments and other corporations who are contributing to it but awareness and some lifestyle changes on a personal level also go a long way. Everyone has to do their part to save the planet from irreversible damage from climate change. Attenborough, a living classic of BBC wildlife programs who has also provided his voice to Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, and Africa, is in an excellent position to know what has to be done if we are to make anything positive out of the current calamity confronting the planet. 

The show included "heartbreaking" and "depressing" sights of polar bears battling for survival, dead penguins, and the terrible impacts of vanishing sea ice, according to Leicester Mercury. In the end, Attenborough told the audience, "If we can do something about it, then do it. We can do it. We must do it. Then there will be a future for the planet." Many viewers were stunned by what they saw in the episode, thus the grim message struck a chord with them. Many people were moved to tears by the upsetting images, but Sir David's message was critical.

One viewer said: “Just wept watching Frozen Planet II - heartbreaking. Should be compulsory viewing for every single politician, leader and policy maker. As Sir David Attenborough said 'We can do it. We must do it.' For the sake of our beautiful planet, we have to act now and all do our bit.” Another added, "Christ. That feels like his last TV plea doesn't it?"

Many others thought Sir David's statements meant more now that they knew how long he had worked to raise awareness of climate change. A user noted, "Watching Frozen Planet II is so sad. Knowing David Attenborough has spent nearly all his life researching and filming all kinds of animal life sharing to the world what we can/need to do to save them as well as our planet but nothing ever really gets done about it."

Another added, "For decades I’ve adored Sir David Attenborough and his wonderful wildlife programs which were so uplifting. Now watching his latest Frozen Planet series I just want to cry with despair at how we are destroying everything in the world." Notwithstanding the horrific viewing experience, many people praised Sir David's efforts on the show. One person thought the living icon deserved a high honor.

A user said, "David Attenborough should get the Nobel Prize for his lifetime’s work." Another added, "Got to say - total respect for Sir David Attenborough. 96 years old and still talking sense. Our politicians could take a leaf out of his book."