David Attenborough: Frozen Planet was not alarmist about climate change [View all]

[dipsydoodle]

Sir David Attenborough has hit back at claims made by the former chancellor Nigel Lawson that his recent natural history series Frozen Planet promoted climate change "alarmism" and lacked objectivity.

Ahead of the final BBC episode in early December, Attenborough wrote a personal plea in the Radio Times warning of the impending dangers of global warming, in which he pointed to scientific evidence that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. The article prompted criticism from Lawson who is a prominent climate sceptic. He wrote in the same issue that "when it comes to global warming [Attenborough] seems to prefer sensation to objectivity" and that "Sir David's alarmism is sheer speculation".

Speaking to the Guardian, Attenborough strongly refuted the suggestion that he lacked objectivity: "I am very, very cautious about making sensationalist claims about how disastrous continuing change will be. The most extreme and sensationalist claim I make, or statement that I make, is that a rising sea level that keeps rising – and it looks as though it could well do – will flood some of the greatest cities in the world, including London. It is an accurate statement and not an exaggerated one."

The series, which ran from late October to early December 2011 – and earned consolidated viewing figures of 11 million – included a final episode, On Thin Ice, in which the presenter highlighted the impact of global warming on the polar regions – a task he says he finds far from enjoyable.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/03/david-attenborough-frozen-planet-climate-change