About Attenboroughology
First and foremost we took our inspiration directly from the great man himself, Sir David Attenborough, English broadcaster and natural historian. The basic rule is that everyone should find wonder and excitement in the world around them, learning whats good to watch, whats good to eat and above all how to respect the gift of our planet.
In our minds, David Attenborough should be given unconditional control over the entire worlds governments - a leader of knowledge, a leader of impact and above all, a leader with sensibility.
Sir David Frederick Attenborough is a household name when it comes to natural history documentaries. Born on May 8, 1926, in London, England, Attenborough is widely considered to be one of the greatest broadcasters of all time, having created and narrated numerous groundbreaking documentary series that have educated and entertained audiences around the world. He is also a prominent environmentalist, and his work has helped to raise awareness about the critical need to protect the natural world.
Attenborough's career in broadcasting began in 1952 when he joined the BBC as a producer. He quickly established himself as a talented presenter and producer, and in 1954, he became the host of the television program "Zoo Quest," which followed him as he traveled the world in search of exotic animals. This was the first of many programs that Attenborough would create and host over the course of his career.
One of Attenborough's most famous documentary series is "Life on Earth," which was first broadcast in 1979. The 13-part series covered the history of life on Earth, from the origins of the first living organisms to the evolution of humans. The program was a groundbreaking achievement, and it set the standard for all future natural history documentaries. Attenborough's ability to explain complex scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way made the program accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Attenborough has gone on to create and host numerous other acclaimed documentary series, including "The Living Planet," "The Trials of Life," "The Private Life of Plants," "Life of Birds," and "Blue Planet." He has also narrated several wildlife documentaries for other producers, including the "Planet Earth" series, which was produced by the BBC's Natural History Unit.
In addition to his work as a broadcaster, Attenborough is also a committed environmentalist. He has used his platform to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect the natural world from the threats posed by climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. He has also been a vocal advocate for conservation, and he has worked with numerous organizations to promote the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
Attenborough's efforts to raise awareness about the environment have not gone unnoticed. In 1985, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to broadcasting. He was knighted in 1985 and elevated to the rank of Companion of Honour in 1996. In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his services to natural history broadcasting and conservation.
Attenborough has also received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career, including multiple BAFTA awards, Emmy awards, and a Peabody award. He has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Geographical Society, and the Zoological Society of London. He has also received honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
Despite his many achievements and accolades, Attenborough remains humble and dedicated to his work. He has often spoken about the importance of educating people about the natural world and the need to protect it for future generations. He has also expressed his hope that his documentaries will inspire people to take action to protect the environment and the many species that call it home.
In conclusion, Sir David Attenborough is a legendary figure in the world of broadcasting and environmentalism. His documentaries have captivated audiences around the world and have helped to raise awareness about the critical need to protect the natural world. His tireless efforts to promote conservation and protect endangered species have earned him numerous awards and honors, but it is his passion and dedication to his work that have made him a beloved and respected figure. Sir David Attenborough is truly a national treasure, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations to take action to protect our planet and all its inhabitants. Attenborough's work has also been instrumental in shaping public attitudes towards environmentalism, and his influence can be seen in the growing awareness and concern for environmental issues around the world.
Attenborough's impact goes beyond just his work as a broadcaster and environmentalist. He has also inspired many people to pursue careers in natural history and conservation. His documentaries have sparked a passion for wildlife and the environment in countless viewers, and many have gone on to work in fields related to natural history, biology, and conservation.
As Attenborough continues to work into his 90s, he shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years, he has been involved in a number of new documentary series, including "Planet Earth II," "Dynasties," and "Seven Worlds, One Planet." He has also become increasingly involved in environmental activism, speaking out about issues like plastic pollution and climate change.
Attenborough's contributions to natural history broadcasting and conservation have been nothing short of extraordinary. His legacy will continue to inspire and educate people for generations to come, and his work will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping our understanding of the natural world and the need to protect it. Sir David Attenborough is a true icon of our time, and his influence will be felt for many years to come.
Species named in Attenborough's honour
At least 20 species and genera, both living and extinct, have been named in Attenborough's honour. Plants named after him include an alpine hawkweed (Hieracium attenboroughianum) discovered in the Brecon Beacons, a species of Ecuadorian flowering tree (Blakea attenboroughi), one of the world's largest-pitchered carnivorous plants (Nepenthes attenboroughii), along with a genus of flowering plants (Sirdavidia). Arthropods named after Attenborough include a butterfly, Attenborough's black-eyed satyr (Euptychia attenboroughi), a dragonfly, Attenborough's pintail (Acisoma attenboroughi), a millimetre-long goblin spider (Prethopalpus attenboroughi), an Indonesian flightless weevil (Trigonopterus attenboroughi), a Madagascan ghost shrimp (Ctenocheloides attenboroughi), and a soil snail (Palaina attenboroughi). The Monogenean Cichlidogyrus attenboroughi, a parasite from a deep-sea fish in the Lake Tanganyika, is probably the only parasite species named after him. Vertebrates have also been named after Attenborough, including a Namibian lizard (Platysaurus attenboroughi), a bird (Polioptila attenboroughi), a Peruvian frog (Pristimantis attenboroughi), a Madagascan stump-toed frog (Stumpffia davidattenboroughi), and one of only four species of long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi).
In 1993, after discovering that the Mesozoic reptile Plesiosaurus conybeari did not belong to the genus Plesiosaurus, the palaeontologist Robert Bakker renamed the species Attenborosaurus conybeari. A fossilised armoured fish discovered in Western Australia in 2008 was named Materpiscis attenboroughi, after Attenborough had filmed at the site and highlighted its scientific importance in Life on Earth. The Materpiscis fossil is believed to be the earliest organism capable of internal fertilisation. A miniature marsupial lion, Microleo attenboroughi, was named in his honour in 2016. The fossil grasshopper Electrotettix attenboroughi was named after Attenborough. In March 2017, a 430 million year old tiny crustacean was named after him. Called Cascolus ravitis, the first word is a Latin translation of the root meaning of "Attenborough", and the second is based on a description of him in Latin. In July 2017, the Caribbean bat Myotis attenboroughi was named after him. A new species of fan-throated lizard from coastal Kerala in southern India was named Sitana attenboroughii in his honour when it was described in 2018.
In 2018, a new species of phytoplankton, Syracosphaera azureaplaneta, was named to honour The Blue Planet, the TV documentary presented by Attenborough, and to recognise his contribution to promoting understanding of the oceanic environment. The same year, Attenborough was also commemorated in the name of the scarab beetle Sylvicanthon attenboroughi.