I’m seeing a number of tweets calling XR ‘twats’ for doorstepping David Attenborough.

My own feelings about Attenborough are complex. He has undoubted grace and gravitas as a public figure. He is a man of talent, I believe, and deep love of the natural world.

2. His documentaries are a source of joy and wonder which have inspired many to speak up for wildlife.
But they have also, quite often, chosen to highlight beauty and serenity over habitat destruction. Entertainment took precedence over education. That wasn’t just his choice...

3. But he did have considerable power over editorial decisions. Admittedly, he has become more vocal about the ecological crisis in recent years.
He’s also *repeatedly* cited human population as one of the chief drivers of climate change.

4. We know this is a line that is used to heap responsibility for the crisis on women from the global South. It’s a racist talking point.

It’s also wrong. Consumption is the issue, especially in very high income families, such as our own Royals, who will use up 1000s of times

5. more resources than even a large family in a developing country.
I don’t think Attenborough is in any hateful. But this betrays an unwillingness to really listen to marginalised voices.
The reason I’m saying all this not to deny his achievements. It’s not even to big up
XR.

6. It’s more to say... we all have blindspots and biases. And we need to be wary of lionising people, especially white privileged ones, to the point of letting their voices drown out all others.
A national treasure can have tarnished gems alongside the brilliant ones.