LONDON (UK) – Naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough spearheaded a call from conservation groups on Wednesday for countries to pump in $500 billion a year to stem the destruction of nature and warned that the planet’s future was in “grave jeopardy.”
His new movie “A Life on Our Planet” reveals the dangers posed by climate change and the extinction of species. His call came hours ahead of a UN summit which aims at giving momentum to wildlife conservation efforts.
“Our natural world is under greater pressure now than at any time in human history, and the future of the entire planet – on which every single one of us depends – is in grave jeopardy,” said the 94-year-old in a statement.
“We still have an opportunity to reverse catastrophic biodiversity loss, but time is running out.”
Environmental group Flora & Fauna International is leading the call to redirect investment from fossil fuels and other polluting industries into locally-led conservation efforts. It has the support of more than 130 organisations.
According to estimates, $80-90 billion is spent on conservation each year across the world. But studies reveal that hundreds of billions of dollars may be required to save the eco system from destruction.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a pre-recorded message for the summit on Wednesday said there was mounting evidence of a desire to avert “looming disaster.”
“Let this be the day that action begins. And let us leave the next generation a world every bit as diverse and wondrous as the one we inherited,” the prime minister said.