David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet is the pioneer’s most personal project yet. Georgia Humphreys finds out why from the man himself.

If there’s anyone who can make the world sit up and listen, it’s Sir David Attenborough.

The 94-year-old naturalist and broadcaster, who was born in west London, describes the life he has had as “extraordinary” and “fortunate”.

It’s one that has seen him visit every continent on the globe, and make some of the most impactful TV series in our history, including Planet Earth and Blue Planet for the BBC.

And now comes a new film, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet - which serves as his witness statement for the natural world.

“I think we are at a crucial moment,” he urges. “Without being too portentous on this, I think humanity is at a crossroads, and the natural world is really under serious, serious threat and the consequences could be apocalyptic.”

It’s early March when I speak to Sir David about the feature, created by award-winning natural history filmmakers Silverback Films and global environmental organisation WWF.

Although I don’t realise it at the time, he ends up being one of the last interviews I would do face to face, thanks to coronavirus (indeed, that’s also the reason the film’s release was delayed by months).

In a quote sent over by email reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, he notes how it has “caused, and will continue to cause, immense suffering”.

“If there is hope that can come out of it then that may arise from the whole world having experienced a shared threat and found a sense that we are all in it together,” follows the father-of-two.

“The same unique brains and communication skills that fuelled the development of our civilisations now have access to technologies and institutions that allow all nations of the world to collaborate and cooperate should we choose to do so.

“The time for pure national interests has passed. If we are to tackle climate change, enable sustainable development, and restore biodiversity, then internationalism has to be our approach. In doing so, we must bring about a greater equality between what nations take from the world and what they give back. The wealthier nations have taken a lot and the time has now come to give.”

It’s exciting people will finally be able to see A Life On Our Planet, which is premiering in cinemas across the globe, and will later be available on Netflix.

A revealing and powerful first-hand account, it sees Sir David reflect, for the first time, upon both the defining moments of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has witnessed.

David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet premieres in cinemas across the globe on September 28. The film will then launch on Netflix globally on October 4.