Yahoo News Blue Planet II viewers ‘horrified’ as David Attenborough gives stark warning that The Great Barrier Reef will die this century
Blue Planet II viewers have been left ‘horrified’ after David Attenborough issued a stark warning over the future of marine life and their habitats in the final episode of the series.
The naturalist warned viewers that ocean landmarks including The Great Barrier Reef will be dead by 2100 due to carbon dioxide levels causing rising acidity.
He also predicted a similar grim future for other reefs, including the Great Southern Reef, which is dying at a similar rate.
One concerned viewer wrote: “Horrifying. In many ways human beings are a plague on this beautiful blue planet.”
Another commented: “Watching Blue Planet 2 and seeing how quick the ocean is changing, and how quick the Great Barrier Reef is dying is so sad."
A third wrote: "Blue Planet tonight is so heartbreaking just look at how much the Great Barrier Reef has changed why are we as humans so s*** to our planet [sic]"
I reccommend you watch Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet ll especially episode 7. It will show you how the planet is changing due to climate change. 90% of the grt, Barrier Reef is already dead from warming seas.
— Judith Kelman (@01blackberry) December 10, 2017
Just watched the blue planet and the devastation us humans are inflicting on our planet. I have lived in Australia and was amazed by the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, to see how it looks in places now I must admit truly upset me,and me must start to care for this planet more
— Mike Moone (@mikeymoone) December 10, 2017
I dived the Great Barrier Reef while studying at @Macquarie_Uni 12 years ago. Horrible to think those areas could already be destroyed #BluePlanet2 #BLUEPLANET #OurBluePlanet @OurBluePlanet @BBCEarth
— Jeff Knott (@jazzy_jeff44) December 10, 2017
Attenborough called upon viewers to help safeguard the environment, telling the camera: “Never before have we had such an awareness of what we’re doing to the planet and never before have we had the power to do something about that.”
“Surely we have a responsibility to care for our blue planet. The future of humanity and indeed all life on earth now depends on us.”
The final episode was dedicated to looking at the damaging impact human activity has on ocean inhabitants.
It featured footage of albatrosses unwittingly feeding their young plastic and a plastic bucket getting attached to a sperm whale.
Blue Planet II is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
