ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → World Problems

David Attenborough – We are a plague on the Earth

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
January 30, 2015
in World Problems
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Sir David Frederick Attenborough is an English broadcaster and naturalist, with a voice recognized by millions. In an interview from 2013, he used his well known voice to speak against the damage that people are causing to the planet. He said that we need to drastically limit our population growth, as we are currently acting like a plague upon the planet. I just found this interview now, and I think it needs more attention.

Sir David Attenborough. Photo: PA

“We are a plague on the Earth. It’s coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so. It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now,” he told the Radio Times.

At a first glance, what he’s saying is outrageous. We’re not the bad guys… are we? The thing is, he is kinda right. We’re overusing our resources, destroying the environment, altering the climate… in a way, we pretty much fit the conditions for “plague”.

RelatedPosts

When someone challenges your political views, your brain treats them as a threat
The gut flora: how it affects your brain and health, according to scientists
Amputee feels in real-time with bionic hand
NASA updates its plan to deflect dangerous asteroids

“Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now,” he says. “We keep putting on programmes about famine in Ethiopia; that’s what’s happening. Too many people there. They can’t support themselves – and it’s not an inhuman thing to say. It’s the case. Until humanity manages to sort itself out and get a co-ordinated view about the planet it’s going to get worse and worse.”

Sir David, who is a patron of the Population Matters, has spoken out before about the “frightening explosion in human numbers” and the need for investment in sex education and other ways of limiting human population – because no matter how efficient you get, you still have the problem of feeding and providing energy for 7 (soon to be 9) billion people.

So what do you think? Is Sir Attenborough out of line? Is he sadly right? Should we focus more on limiting population? What’s your though?

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

News

Pluto’s Moons and Everything You Didn’t Know You Want to Know About Them

byMihai Andrei
2 hours ago
Future

Japan Is Starting to Use Robots in 7-Eleven Shops to Compensate for the Massive Shortage of Workers

byMihai Andrei
3 hours ago
Alien life

This Bizarre Martian Rock Formation Is Our Strongest Evidence Yet for Ancient Life on Mars

byMihai Andrei
3 hours ago
Health

A small, portable test could revolutionize how we diagnose Alzheimer’s

byTudor Tarita
9 hours ago

Recent news

Pluto’s Moons and Everything You Didn’t Know You Want to Know About Them

September 11, 2025

Japan Is Starting to Use Robots in 7-Eleven Shops to Compensate for the Massive Shortage of Workers

September 11, 2025

This Bizarre Martian Rock Formation Is Our Strongest Evidence Yet for Ancient Life on Mars

September 11, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.