Charles Esther
Prince William and legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough have come together to deliver a compelling message about the critical state of the world’s oceans.
Their joint appeal coincides with the premiere of Ocean with David Attenborough, a new documentary launched just in time for World Oceans Day.
A Disturbing Underwater Reality
The film brings to light the hidden devastation happening beneath the ocean’s surface.
It serves as a stark warning and calls for urgent measures to protect one of Earth’s most precious resources.
Sir David, now 99 years old, expressed deep concern over the widespread damage to the ocean floor.
“The destruction we have caused is unspeakably awful,” he stated.
“If anything like this happened on land, there would be an uproar.”
The problem, he points out, is that most people remain unaware of this destruction because it is concealed underwater.
According to the BBC, this invisibility only makes the issue more troubling.
Prince William’s Deep Commitment to the Environment
Prince William, known globally for his environmental efforts and the creation of the Earthshot Prize, shared his own fascination with the mysteries of the ocean.
“There are places in the ocean that no human has ever seen,” he remarked during a conversation with Sir David.
Sir David agreed, calling it “wonderful” that advanced technologies now allow humans to explore previously unreachable parts of the sea.
William believes these uncharted territories present exciting opportunities for future generations to act as explorers and stewards of the environment.
Exposing Harmful Fishing Practices
A major focus of the documentary is on destructive practices like bottom trawling.
This method involves dragging heavy nets across the seafloor, which destroys marine habitats and undermines the ocean’s ability to store carbon.
This, in turn, has significant implications for climate change.
Sir David hopes the film will succeed in raising awareness among the public and inspiring immediate action.
“If this film does anything, if it just shifts public awareness, it will be very, very important,” he said.
A Global Call for Leadership
As attention turns to the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, both Prince William and Sir David are urging world leaders to make bold and meaningful commitments.
One of the conference’s key goals is to protect 30% of the world’s oceans.
Progress toward this objective has been slow and requires renewed urgency.
Hope and Action for the Future
Prince William is set to speak at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, where he plans to encourage governments and businesses to “think big” and act quickly with both urgency and optimism.
This message aligns with his recent docuseries Guardians, which highlights the work of wildlife rangers across the globe.
Sir David’s closing remark in the film stands as a rallying cry: “We must act before we destroy this great treasure.”
It’s a powerful reminder that ocean conservation is not optional—it is essential for our survival.
Now more than ever, we must protect our blue planet.
