LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - British naturalist David
Attenborough has said he spent much of lockdown relishing the
joy of the natural world by listening to the birds in his
garden.
Attenborough, the world’s most influential wildlife
broadcaster, has become increasingly outspoken in recent years
about the risks posed by climate change.
In an interview with the BBC, the 94-year-old praised China
for moving in the right direction on climate though he chided
the United States.
"The present administration in America, from a
conservationist's point of view, is disastrous. But there we
are: that's who's been elected and we have to go through it," he
said.
Attenborough, who launched last week a film about lessons
learned during his seven decades as a television naturalist,
said that the novel coronavirus lockdown had been relatively
painless for him.
"Many people are having a much worse time than I am," he
said. "I am lucky. I have a garden, I have a house... my
daughter and I are surviving very well."
"I've certainly spent more time in my garden listening to
birds, than I have for a very long time. A lot of people have
been surprised by that - a lot of people have suddenly realised
what deep, profound joy can come from witnessing the rest of the
world - the natural world."
Ahead of the release of his book and Netflix documentary -
"A Life On Our Planet", he called on people to not squander the
natural world.
Asked about activities of the Extinction Rebellion campaign
group, he said that people should be careful not to break the
law. Activists, he said, should treat the community with
respect.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Emelia
Sithole-Matarise)