Veteran naturalist takes pessimistic long view

SIR David Attenborough has warned that life will get tougher for future generations as they battle the effects of global warming.

The natural history presenter, 85, said he had “no doubt” that global warming “is man-made”.

He told the Radio Times magazine that it suited many climate change sceptics to “be that way” because it made their own life easier.

Asked whether he was hopeful or despairing about the future of the planet, he said: “I’m on the pessimistic side. I don’t think there’s any question that things are going to get worse.

“I’m not suggesting that Homo sapiens will be exterminated by its own hand within the next 100 years – but I am suggesting that the conditions for the burgeoning human population on this planet will mean that conditions for individual human beings will get worse.”