CELEBRITY INTERVIEW


Sir David Attenborough


The national treasure has visited the Great Barrier Reef countless times. Here, he gives Aspire his view on whether a visit should still be on people’s bucket lists, given the threats to the coral ecosystem


Q. What is it about the Great Barrier Reef that enchants you so much? First, the magic and enchantment of all that the Great Barrier Reef is about. I mean, it has to really be seen to be believed – the colours, vibrancy, variety of species. It’s utterly unique. And that’s a big statement, when you consider how big the planet is. It’s like something out of a movie… CGI, special effects, the lot. But also, because speaking selfishly, the reef holds many happy memories for me. It was the first place I was lucky enough to scuba dive. It put my previous experiences of using an aqua-lung off the coast of Plymouth into context! So, as a journalist, an explorer and a fanatic for the natural world and, if you want to say it, as a tourist, the Great Barrier Reef is, for me, the complete place.


Q. hen i you first venture there It was more than 60 years ago; 1957, I think. It was very different back then and


The Great


Barrier Reef has to be seen to be believed. It’s like something out of a movie... CGI, special effects, the lot


“ aspiretravelclub.co.uk


probably even more magical. I thought surely no such place on Earth could exist. The first time I dived, it was not what I’d expected. I thought it would be cramped and uncomfortable but it was an entirely pleasurable experience. The air temperature is the same as the surface, the pressure is fine. It was wonderful. And then the animal life – turtles, starfish, sea cucumbers, minke whales, fluorescent fish at every turn. It’s incredible.


Q. he reef is oviously uner threat… It’s to do with the temperature and the acidity of the sea and the coral’s struggle to cope with it. If it cannot form coral limestone any more, there will be no Barrier Reef. And the population of the Queensland region is about four times what it was in the 1950s. This has led to a huge increase in effluence and waste entering the waters, and that’s causing a vast number of problems.➛


FEBRUARY 2019 ASPIRE 35


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