Sir David Attenborough Davos warning prompts Greenpeace calls for stricter clean air strategy

Calls for a clean air strategy in the UK have been ramped up after Sir David Attenorough delivered a chilling climate change warning.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the veteran naturalist said: “The Holocene has ended. The Garden of Eden is no more."

He added humans have now changed the world so much that some scientists argue they have brought on a new age: The Anthropocene (or 'age of humans').

While Attenborough admitted it is easier to ignore warnings about climate change - or even succumb to "gloom and doom" at feeling helpless to change anything - he argued there is potential to save our planet.

"We need to move beyond guilt or blame and get on with the practical tasks in hand," he said.

Attenborough said it was possible to create a world with clean air and water, energy supplies and fish stocks for many years to come, but said: "we need a plan."

After the 92-year-old broadcaster's warning, Greenpeace called on the Government to put a plan in place and push its Clean Air Strategy further.

Morten Thaysen, Greenpeace campaigner, said: "When it comes to our climate crisis this is as stark a warning as you’ll get.

"Sir David Attenborough is right though, we can create a more sustainable world of clean energy and abundant wildlife, and especially for Londoners, clean air.

"The solutions are there, we just need the government to be bold and grasp them.

"For example they should follow London’s lead and bring forward ultra low emission zones in towns and cities across the country.

"Alongside this the government must look to phase out the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2030. This should be coupled with support for a scrappage scheme to help the public make the switch to cleaner cars."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “The Government is fully committed to tackling air pollution which is why we are implementing a £3.5 billion plan to reduce harmful road transport emissions.

“Our new Clean Air Strategy, the most ambitious air quality strategy in a generation, has been described by the World Health Organization as ‘an example for the rest of the world to follow’.

“Our new Road to Zero strategy lays out plans to end the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040.”