Sir David Attenborough has been gracing us with his television wisdom for over 70 years now — and today just happens to be his 92nd birthday.
The producer and iconic voice behind groundbreaking wildlife documentaries like Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Africa, has provided countless happy memories that have educated, intrigued and amazed millions around the world.
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Every day should be a celebration of Sir David Attenborough — but today at least we have a legit excuse to shout our love from the rooftops.
Here are just a few of our favourite Attenborough quotes and moments, and what the man himself has to say about it all.
1) Attenborough introduced us all to the wonders of 'Planet Earth.'
He’s been making great TV since 1955 and he’s covered just about everything “wildlife” we can think of!
“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living."
2) He’s helped us discover so many of these charming animals.
“I'm not over-fond of animals. I am merely astounded by them."
With so many species we didn't know existed before, we are astounded too, Sir David.
Cuteness overload!
3) He has opened our eyes to the majestic creatures living in our oceans
“Such beautiful movement is rarely seen. Dance in the animal world is little understood.” - Blue Planet, Episode 3
Even without all the answers, Attenborough has guided us through courtship in the animal world in some of the most beautiful and unexplained ways. We are lucky to be able to watch these intimate moments between such amazing animals. What would we do if we lost them forever?
Read more: 9 Surprising Facts About Whales, the Ocean’s Largest Mammal
4) He makes us laugh
Working with animals will always have candid moments — but David can always pull them off.
"Well, I'm having a good time. Which makes me feel guilty too. How very English."
Keep doing what you do best — because we enjoy watching it too!
5) He even narrated the 2014 Sochi Winter Games Women's Curling Event — what a great sport!
"In all my years of exploration, these are the creatures I find most curious."
In his iconic documentary style David brought smiles to us all by reminding us that we too are animals.
Is there anything he can’t make magical?
6) He’s educated us on most important issues facing the world’s wildlife
“You can wreck one rainforest then move, drain one area of resources and move onto another, but climate change is global.”
Catch David #Attenborough talking about #climatechange and #coralbleaching in Australia https://t.co/wj6WndpavD via @AustralianStorypic.twitter.com/73FG26VQ3J
— Climate Council (@climatecouncil) 28 February 2017
Attenborough has been very vocal in recent times about the importance of recognising climate change by using his celebrating status and deep knowledge to speak to the media about our global responsibility. He works on projects all around the world urging ordinary people and world leaders to play their part in protecting the planet.
7) He believes helping women will play a part in saving the whole world
In a recent interview, he outlined how supporting women in developing countries will allow for them to thrive — enabling them to contribute towards solving the world's most dangerous problems.
“It’s a gigantic problem. There’s only one straw that you can cling on to and that’s where women are given the rights over their own bodies. Where they have political independence; where they have medical facilities to enable them to control the number of children they bear; where they are literate; where they have the vote ... And that is a great start so that should be a lesson to us as to why we should send more help"
It's clear — Sir David Attenborough is a feminist!
8) Don’t forget his shoutout to Adele
This BBC Radio One clip of Sir David narrating Adele's 'Hello' is wonderful.
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9) Or the time David met Obama
“The young people — they care! They know that this is the world that they are going to grow up in; that they are going to spend the rest of their lives in. But I think it’s more idealistic than that. They actually believe that humanity, [the] human species, has no right to destroy and despoil [it] regardless. They actually feel that very powerfully.”
10) Finally, he tells it like it is
"Yet, it's on this connection that the future of both humanity and the natural world will depend. And it is, surely, our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth."
We must protect our planet, and all those creatures who call it home. #PlanetEarth2pic.twitter.com/9WpOWbMXgr
— BBC One (@BBCOne) 11 December 2016
This moment gave us goosebumps.
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